Wildcat Wrap: Several Arizona tennis players ranked in preseason poll
Editor’s note: With several sports going on, Wildcat Wrap serves as a recap that focuses on the Arizona programs that we do not have the time to cover on a regular basis but are certainly worthy of recognition.
The first collegiate tennis rankings of the 2025-26 season are out, and a litany of Arizona men’s and women’s players are ranked nationally.
Arizona senior captain Jay Friend is the top-ranked Wildcat, coming in at No. 5 in the ITA men’s singles rankings. Friend was a First Team All-American in 2025 after advancing to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Singles Championships.
Friend has put together a stellar summer, highlighted by winning gold for his native Japan at the FISU World University Championships.
This week Friend won his first career ATP Challenger match by defeating the No. 1 ranked 18 and under player in the world, Federico Cina, by a score of 6-0, 6-0. Friend competes tomorrow in the Round of 16 at the ATP Challenger in Manacor, Spain.
Other Wildcats ranked in men’s singles are sophomore Zoran Ludoski (No. 64) and Sasha Rozin (No. 89). Friend and Pepjin Bastiaansen are ranked No. 41 in men’s doubles.
Bastiaansen, a freshman from The Netherlands, is ranked as the No. 20 newcomer.
The Arizona men’s tennis program has won three straight conference championships under coach Clancy Shields.
Arizona put out its fall schedule this week, which includes the Wildcat Invite on Sept. 12-14.
On the women’s side, two Wildcats are ranked nationally in singles: Josie Userau (No. 51) and Martyna Ostrzygalo (No. 122). The duo also form the No. 22 ranked doubles pair.
The women’s program has also released its fall schedule. They’ll be at home for the Wildcat Invite on Nov. 14-16.
Arizona has made the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons under coach Ryan Stotland.
Cross country
The Arizona cross country team opens its season this weekend when it competes at the NAU George Kyle Classic in Flagstaff on Saturday
Teet marks the first under new track and field/cross country head coach AndrewDubs. Dubs said in his introductory press conference that he wants to see Arizona improve its distance program after being uncompetitive in cross country for much of the past decade.
Dubs overhauled the cross country coaching staff this offseason by brining in assistant coach Jay Koloseus from Drake, where he was the head track and field and cross country. Dubs also hired director of operations/assistant coach Mackenzie Landa from Tennessee, where saw oversaw the Volunteers’ cross country program.
Year 1 under Dubs will likely be a rebuilding season. The Wildcats men’s and women’s rosters are primarily made up of freshmen and sophomores.
