RICHARDSON, Texas (February 14, 2026) – The University of Texas Permian Basin men's tennis team kicked off its 2026 season with a 4-0 win over Southeastern Oklahoma State University on Friday, February 13, at Collin College. The Falcons later fell by just one point, 4-3, in the nightcap against Northeastern State University at UT Dallas.

After a 6-2 win by Lucas Nakasato and Andrew Hunsley at No. 2 doubles and a 6-3 win by Joao D'Amorim and Nehal Naidoo at No. 1 doubles to open the season and claim the doubles point against SOSU, UTPB kept it going in singles as Enrique Silveira won 6-0, 6-1 at No. 6 singles, D'Amorim won 6-3, 6-2 at No. 1 singles, and Nakasato won 6-3, 6-1 at No. 3 singles to end the match.

Words from Coach Chris Tolson: "The team came out and played very well in doubles at No. 1 and No. 2. Both teams got early breaks to set the tone. Everyone played well in singles and won the first set of their matches. Enrique played fantastic in singles winning 0,1 at No. 6."

After the RiverHawks emerged on the victorious end of two 6-4 decisions in doubles play, the doubles point proved costly in the final match of the day as UTPB got the win in the final three singles spots from Kabir Chothani (No. 4), Hunsley (No. 5) and Silveira (No. 6), but could not find one more victory. After sweeping his opening set at No. 2 singles, Naidoo ultimately lost in three sets, 0-6, 6-0, 6-2.

Words from Coach Chris Tolson: "The guys battled and had great energy all night. We came out a bit slow in doubles and that point ended up costing us in the end. Huge shout out to our bottom three singles players tonight, they played fantastic."
 
Results:
Match #1 – UTPB 4, SOSU 0:
Doubles

• #1 – Joao D'Amorim/Nehal Naidoo (UTPB) def. Paolo Estrada/Nolan Guerin (SOSU) 6-3
• #2 – Lucas Nakasato/Andrew Hunsley (UTPB) def. Benjamin Fracassi/Eric Poindexter (SOSU) 6-2
• #3 – Davi Costa/Luke Tinnock (SOSU) def. Philipp Gaurieder/Kabir Chothani (UTPB) 6-0
• Order of Finish: 2, 3, 1

Singles

• #1 – Joao D'Amorim (UTPB) def. Benjamin Fracassi (SOSU) 6-3, 6-2
• #2 – Nehal Naidoo (UTPB) vs. Luke Tinnock (SOSU) 6-2, 2-1, unf.
• #3 – Lucas Nakasato (UTPB) def. Eric Poindexter (SOSU) 6-3, 6-1
• #4 – Kabir Chothani (UTPB) vs. Davi Costa (SOSU) 6-0, 3-5, unf.
• #5 – Philipp Gaurieder (UTPB) vs. Nolan Guerin (SOSU) 7-5, 2-3, unf.
• #6 – Enrique Silveira (UTPB) def. Jackson Follett (SOSU) 6-0, 6-1
• Order of Finish: 6, 1, 3

 
Results:
Match #2 – UTPB 3, NSU 4:
Doubles

• #1 – Alexander Edley/Mansur Khajimuradov (NSU) def. Joao D'Amorim/Nehal Naidoo (UTPB) 6-4
• #2 – Luis Denda/James Edley (NSU) def. Lucas Nakasato/Andrew Hunsley (UTPB) 6-4
• #3 – Philipp Gaurieder/Kabir Chothani (UTPB) vs. Tomas Aramburu/Baptiste Linet (NSU) 4-4, unf.
• Order of Finish: 2, 1

Singles

• #1 – James Edley (NSU) def. Joao D'Amorim (UTPB) 7-5, 6-3
• #2 – Alexander Edley (NSU) def. Nehal Naidoo (UTPB) 0-6, 6-0, 6-2
• #3 – Mansur Khajimuradov (NSU) def. Lucas Nakasato (UTPB) 6-3, 6-4
• #4 – Kabir Chothani (UTPB) def. Tomas Aramburu (NSU) 6-2, 6-4
• #5 – Andrew Hunsley (UTPB) def. Baptiste Linet (NSU) 7-5, 7-6 (7-4)
• #6 – Enrique Silveira (UTPB) def. Manuel Brunengo (NSU) 6-1, 6-2
• Order of Finish: 4, 3, 1, 5, 2, 6

Team Records:

• UTPB starts its season 1-1.
• SOSU (0-4) was picked tied for fifth in the MIAA/GAC South Division Preseason Poll.
• NSU (2-2) is competing in men's tennis for the first time since 2000. The NSU men's team, competing for the first time in 25 years, enters the MIAA/GAC South Division, where they were selected fourth in the preseason coaches' poll.

 
Next Up: UTPB will conclude its opening weekend of the season by taking on Delta State University at 10 a.m. on Sunday, February 15, at the UTD Tennis Complex.