IRVINE, Calif. – 10 All-PacWest Awards were named to the Concordia University Irvine women's tennis team!

Women's Tennis:

The women's tennis team earned seven All-PacWest awards this season!

Head Coach Jonathan Sanchez was named the PacWest Women's Coach of the Year! Sanchez led the Eagles to 13 regular season wins which is the most for the program in NCAA DII era. The CUI women went 8-1 for the month of March and were recognized nationally as ITA UTR DII Women's Team of the Month for the first time in school history. This year was the first time in school history where both the men's and women's tennis teams were ranked in the ITA Top 25 the entire season. The Eagles are on track to make the regional tournament for the first time in school history.

"I'm incredibly honored to be recognized by my peers for this award," said Sanchez. "Working alongside so many talented coaches at CUI and competing against the amazing coaches in our conference creates an environment where we push each other to continue improving and be better at what we do. I am also very thankful for our leadership at CUI, without their support, this season wouldn't have even been possible. Lastly and most importantly, I am so blessed for our student-athletes who are some of the most talented, bright, and hard-working people I know."

Camila Tumosa was named the PacWest Newcomer of the Year and was named to the Second Team All-PacWest. Tumosa transferred from LMU and was a great addition to the Green and Gold during this season.

"Camila has been such a positive influence on our team this year with not only her tennis but also with her maturity and experience," said Sanchez.

Tumosa won 10 singles matches this season with five wins being at the No. 3 and No. 4 positions. She also earned a win in the No. 2 singles position.

Ghazal Pakbaten was named to the First Team All-PacWest in singles for the third year. Pakbaten went as undefeated 7-0 at the No. 1 singles in all finished matches. She was ranked nationally at No. 36 in ITA DII singles rankings. Pakbaten is the top player for the Eagles and helped the team stay ranked in the ITA Top 25 all season.

"I am so happy and grateful for the opportunity of being here and being part of the Eagles family and coach Sanchez for supporting me and believing in me since the beginning," said Pakbaten.

Rebekah Anderson was named to the Second Team All-PacWest in singles. Anderson went 9-4 in singles matches competing primarily at the top two positions. She was ranked No. 44 in ITA DII singles and has been a great asset for the Eagles.

"For me, this means a lot, especially overcoming the struggles I've gone through throughout my college career," said Anderson. "This definitely showed me the work that I've put in this year has really paid off and I'm just proud of myself for overcoming the challenges that this last year has presented!"

Anderson and Pakbaten were doubles partners majority of the year and together were named to the First Team All-PacWest for doubles. This is Pakbaten's second year being named this honor for doubles. The dynamic duo went 4-1 at the No.1 singles position. When this pair won their doubles match, Concordia went 6-0 overall beating very opponent.
 
"It makes me so happy to see our seniors getting recognized for their tremendous efforts and accomplishments," said Sanchez. "They have all stepped up in such a big way this year staying positive and motivating the team throughout the season and leading by example."

The Eagles will be competing in the PacWest Conference Tournament with their first match Apr. 22 against Academy of Art in Surprise, Ariz. For the full women's tennis schedule CLICK HERE!

Men's Tennis:

Yassine Smiej was named to the First Team All-PacWest in singles. Smiej is the top player for Concordia and which was nationally ranked by ITA between No. 14 and No. 17 the entire season. Smiej was the only tennis player this year to be named PacWest Conference Player of the Week twice. He was ranked in the ITA Top 25 in both singles (No.25) and doubles (No.18) with teammate Mike Jansen. Smiej won ta least eight matches in the No. 1 singles position for the second consecutive season and earned nine points at the No. 1 singles position this year.

"I would like to thank the PacWest for naming me to the first team," said Smiej. "It's great to earn this achievement and now I will do my best to win the conference tournament with my team!"

Patrick Wong was named to the Second Team All-PacWest in singles. Wong a sophomore out of Taipei, Taiwan went 8-3 in singles at the No. 2 position. All season Wong only lost to ranked players. He swept his No. 2 singles match vs No. 22 Midwestern State which helped CUI win at the ITA Indoor Team National Tournament.

"It is great to be recognized for my hard work," said Wong. "Now that season is coming to an end, I am just going to keep pushing and see what myself and my team can accomplish."

Mike Jansen and Smiej were named to the First Team All-PacWest in doubles. The duo posted nine victories at the No. 1 doubles position. Jansen and Smiej were also nationally ranked No. 18 by the ITA. The pairing had season sweeps of Biola and Point Loma.

"Having players on our men's team recognized for their hard work and outstanding achievements especially after not getting to finish a record season last year due to Covid means so much," said Sanchez. "I cannot express how proud I am of both the men's and women's teams." 

The men's tennis team gears up to play Point Loma on Apr. 22 for their first match in the PacWest Conference Tournament. For the full men's tennis schedule CLICK HERE! 

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