Leavenworth, Kan.— The University of Saint Mary men's and women's tennis programs made the most out of their 2025—26 season. In their first season under head coach
Joao Almeida, the men's and women's tennis teams embraced the challenges and opportunities that came with a new era of leadership. Throughout the year, both programs demonstrated resilience, growth, and the commitment to maximizing not only personal potential but the exciting outlook of the entire team from top to bottom, turning every day on the court into an opportunity for improvement.
Under the helm of coach Almeida, the Spire men and women built a strong foundation for future success and set even higher standards for all USM tennis programs to come. Coach Almeida boasted about the success of both his squads, as he notably led the men's team to the KCAC Championship match and subsequentially to the NAIA National Tennis Tournament in Mobile, Alabama for the first time in the history of Spire tennis. The Spire women would also post an impressive season, qualifying for the KCAC Championship tournament as the No. 6 seed overall, and excitedly reached their highest ever ITA NAIA National ranking coming in hot at No. 45 in the nation.
Spire tennis competed hard from the very beginning of the 2025—26 schedule, with the men finishing with a 16-6 overall record and an eye catching 11-2 KCAC slate that included an eight-match winning streak, the longest in USM tennis history. The Spire women would represent this season with a 9-8 overall record and a conference final tally of 7-5. Each squad would pick up resume building wins with the men's team defeating the No. 32 Bethany College Swedes, No. 26 Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes, No. 25 McPherson College Bulldogs, and making further history with the best win over the dominant No. 21 Eagles of Oklahoma Wesleyan University. The Spire women would pick up key victories on the court over the Evangel University Valor, Tabor College Bluejays, and the Friends Falcons, just to name a few.
Individually,
Evan Maritz would make a name for himself on the court, placing third overall at the KCAC Individual Championship and play his way to the Sweet Sixteen of the ITA Regionals, the highest in program history. The junior from Pretoria, South Africa would earn himself KCAC Men's Tennis Player of the Week for the week of March 16
th, for the first time in his collegiate career. Maritz would be joined by fellow Spire
Carlos Grimaldi who earned the honor of KCAC Men's Tennis Player of the Week for his undefeated stretch during the week of April 13
th.
Grimaldi would also have a stellar year for the Spires in both singles and doubles play, and would be a huge reason the USM men found themselves at the trending towards the top when it mattered most. The dominant duo of
Nils Dueppe and
Nudem Koyuncu would be a force in doubles play, earning the highest ITA National doubles ranking in Spire men's tennis history coming in at No. 30 in all of NAIA.
The USM women were supported from each member on the roster. From veteran returners such as juniors
Shannon Finn,
Arsys Rojas,
Mia Rojas, and graduate student
Courtney Standley to newcomers such as sophomore
Rowen Wiemers, and
Madyson Kline, the Spire women made their mark this year in the KCAC.
This season, the USM women reached their highest ITA National Ranking of No. 45 overall, the best in program history. The Spires would also secure key victories over Ottawa University, the Friends Falcons, Evangel Valor, and the Southwestern College Moundbuilders.
Shannon Finn would be the lone USM women's tennis athlete to make the post-season roster. The Spires would enter the KCAC Championships as the No. 6 seed this season, where they would see their historic season end against a tough McPherson College Bulldog squad. Finn would make the All-KCAC Honorable Mention team for her efforts on the court this year as she racked up eight singles wins alone.
Spire tennis would get it done off the court as well, tallying fourteen All-KCAC Scholar Athletes this Spring season:
Men's Tennis:
Women's Tennis:
This year was a special one for Coach Almeida, who could not be prouder of his first two teams at USM. Each of his athletes consistently gave their best effort, supported one another through every challenge, and grew both as a team and as individuals. USM's determination, unity, and positive attitude were a reflection of everything the Spire tennis program strives to represent. The USM community eagerly awaits everything to come for USM tennis!
