Lander University

Men's Tennis 1/20/2026 10:46:00 AM Hailey Franklin - Assistant Sports Information Director

Pugh Garners Preseason All-Conference Honors as Bearcats Picked Fourth

AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Lander men's tennis team was picked fourth in the Peach Belt Conference's 2026 preseason poll, with sophomore Harry Pugh earning preseason all-conference honors, the league announced Monday. The Bearcats also enter the season ranked No. 21 nationally in the ITA Preseason Coaches Poll.

Flagler, ranked No. 3 nationally, was voted the preseason favorite, collecting five first-place votes and 35 points. Columbus State, ranked No. 11 in the ITA preseason rankings, followed in second with 30 points and two first-place votes, while North Georgia, ranked No. 10 nationally, placed third with 28 points. Lander checked in fourth with 21 points, followed by Georgia College & State University (12), Augusta (11) and Middle Georgia (10).

Men's Tennis Preseason Coaches Poll

RANK	TEAM	POINTS
1.	Flagler (5)	35
2.	Columbus State (2)	30
3.	North Georgia	28
4.	Lander	21
5.	Georgia College	12
6.	Augusta	11
7.	Middle Georgia	10

Pugh's preseason recognition follows a standout freshman campaign in which he was named Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year. He also earned All-Conference First Team honors in singles and Second Team recognition in doubles. Playing primarily at the No. 1 singles position, Pugh compiled a 14-4 overall record, including a 4-1 mark in conference play. In doubles action, he posted an 11-8 record with a 3-2 performance against league opponents.

Entering the spring, Pugh is ranked No. 13 nationally in singles and No. 2 in the Southeast Region. He is also part of one of the nation's top doubles pairings alongside sophomore Brendan Jayaprakash. The duo earned national runners-up honors in the Division II Men's Open Doubles at the ITA Cup this fall and currently holds a No. 2 national ranking and the top spot in the Southeast Region.

Another Bearcat doubles team is also nationally ranked, as senior Max Barriere and junior newcomer Anton Krondell check in at No. 22 in the nation and No. 4 in the Southeast Region.

As a team, Lander finished the 2025 season with a 12-8 overall record and a 2-3 mark in Peach Belt Conference play. The Bearcats advanced to the NCAA Southeast Regional, where their season came to an end in the opening round.

The preseason all-conference team featured Samer Al Tori of Columbus State, Flagler's Ilian Borlee, Simon Malis and Aniss Rafiq, Chase Martin of GCSU, Pedro Liborio of North Georgia, and Pugh representing Lander.

With nationally ranked individuals, proven doubles depth, and experienced returns across the lineup, the Bearcats enter the 2026 season positioned to compete at a high level in the Peach Belt Conference and beyond.

The Bearcats open the 2026 season at home Thursday, Jan. 22, welcoming Georgia Gwinnett for a 1 p.m. exhibition match at the Joe Cabri Tennis Center.

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Players Mentioned

Max Barriere: Junior

Brendan Jayaprakash: Freshman

Harry Pugh: Freshman

Anton Krondell: Junior

Players Mentioned

Max Barriere
: Junior

Brendan Jayaprakash
: Freshman

Harry Pugh
: Freshman

Anton Krondell
: Junior