Men’s tennis earns Sun Belt Conference postseason awards for 2025 season

Troy Athletics photo

Hiiro Sakamoto celebrates after winning a point against Samford.

After ending its season 20-8, the most wins since 2021 when Troy also saw 20 wins, Troy men’s tennis earned Sun Belt Conference 2025 season honors.

Kumamoto, Japan, native Hiiro Sakamoto was named the Sun Belt Conference Men’s Tennis Freshman of the Year. Sakamoto made waves in his debut season for the Trojans with a team-best record of 21-3 in singles play, including finishing the regular season winning eight of his final ten matches.

Sakamoto was 13-2 in the fourth spot and 7-1 at No. 5. He went 5-2 in Sun Belt singles. All 21 spring wins for the Japan native came in straight sets.

Sakamoto also went 15-6 in doubles play, including a 4-2 record in Sun Belt action.

“Hiiro was very remarkable this season,” said Troy men’s tennis head coach Rolando Vargas.

“He is staying late after practice and coming earlier than everybody.

”His work showed and made a difference.”

Yeray Andres Pastor also received postseason honors for the Trojans, earning Singles Second Team All-Conference. Pastor recorded an impressive record of 14-3 this season while playing in the top two spots. Pastor went 5-2 in the No. 1 spot and 9-1 in the second spot. Pastor went 2-2 for the Trojans in Sun Belt play.

“Yeray has improved a lot from the previous years,” Vargas said. “He really stepped up and became a leader for us.

“I’m very excited about what the future is going to be for him.”

Wrapping things up for the Trojans, the duo of Noah Martens and Nicolas Simkin was named to the Doubles Second Team All-Conference. The dynamic duo went 7-5 this spring and 3-2 in conference play. The Trojans were 15-1 when securing the doubles point.

“The fact that we were able to keep that doubles pairing intact made a huge difference,” Vargas said. “I’m very thrilled that they receive this honor.”

Men’s tennis also received the Male Team GPA Award at the Trojan Tribute.