TYLER, Texas (February 21, 2026) – The UT Permian Basin men's tennis team fell 7-0 against No. 24 Harding University on day two in Tyler, Texas.
UTPB struck first in doubles as
Lucas Nakasato and
Andrew Hunsley won at No. 2 doubles for the second day in a row, winning 6-4 over the No. 23 nationally-ranked doubles pair of Florian Gayme and Jan Alexander Has. In the Fall season, the pairing of Gayme and Alexander Has went 5-2 and reached the Flight A semifinal at the ITA Central Regional doubles championship.
However, in the decider at No. 1 doubles,
Nehal Naidoo and
Kabir Chothani were defeated 6-4 by Edoardo D'Arrigo and Sebastian De La Salas.
Despite being swept in singles, UTPB forced four matches that required a third set or a tiebreaker to decide a winner. Nakasato fell 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) to Caleb Folse at No. 3 singles.
Joao D'Amorim fell 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 to De La Salas at No. 1 singles. Naidoo won his first set but fell 2-6, 7-5, 7-5 in two close final sets vs. Cian Mikkelsen at No. 2 singles. Lastly, Chothani also won his first set but fell 3-6, 6-4, 1-0 (11-9) in a third-set super tiebreaker vs. D'Arrigo at No. 5 singles.
In their matchup last year, it was D'Arrigo winning the final singles match at No. 6 singles to clinch a narrow 4-3 victory for Harding over UTPB.
"The guys came out with a lot of energy and played their best tennis of the year," said UTPB Head Men's Tennis Coach
Chris Tolson. "It was fun to watch them compete today, even though we came up a bit short on each court. We're a young, exciting team, we just need more matches/experience under our belt. But proud of the attitude and effort from this group."
Results:
Doubles
Singles
- #1 – Sebastian De La Salas (HC) def. Joao D'Amorim (UTPB) 6-2, 2-6, 6-4
- #2 – Cian Mikkelsen (HU) def. Nehal Naidoo (UTPB) 2-6, 7-5, 7-5
- #3 – Caleb Folse (HU) def. Lucas Nakasato (UTPB) 6-3, 7-6 (7-5)
- #4 – Luis Agullo (HU) def. Andrew Hunsley (UTPB) 6-2, 6-4
- #5 – Edoardo D'Arrigo (HU) def. Kabir Chothani (UTPB) 3-6, 6-4, 1-0 (11-9)
- #6 – Florian Gayme (HU) def. Enrique Silveira (UTPB) 6-4, 6-4
- Order of Finish: 4, 3, 1, 2, 5, 6
Team Records:
- UTPB falls to 1-4 while No. 24 Harding, which was voted as the favorite in the Great American Conference (GAC) Preseason Coaches Poll, improves to 5-1.
- The Harding men's tennis team concluded its 2025 season with a historic finish, achieving its highest-ever national ranking at No. 21 in the final ITA NCAA Division II Rankings. The Bisons achieved an impressive 15-7 overall record and advanced to the semifinals of the Central Region Tournament.
Next Up: On the third and final day of its trip to Tyler, Texas, on Sunday, February 22, UPTB will face Southern Arkansas University.
