Lobos Selected for ITA Kickoff Weekend

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The University of New Mexico men’s tennis team, the 2025 Mountain West Tournament champions, have earned a spot int he ITA Kickoff as the No. 4 seed where UNM will face host UCLA on January 25, 2026.  The Lobos will take on either the No. 2 seed UC Santa Barbara or the No. 3 see Pacific on January 26.

The event is an indoor event with 14 regional sites in the 56-team field.  Other site are Virginia, Ohio State, NC State, Columbia, San Diego, Mississippi State, Arizona, California, Wake Forest, TCU, Texas, Stanford and South Carolina.

The Lobos last year went 16-9 in the first year under head coach Rob Bareford, who led UNM to the tournament title and the NCAA Tournament.  UNM lost in the NCAA’s to No. 5 Stanford, giving the Cardinal a scare in doubles and UNM was leading in two singles matches despite to 4-0 final score.  UNM went 2-4 against nationally ranked opponents last season including a MW championship win over No. 42 Boise State.

UCLA finished 19-9 last season and were ranked No. 14 in the final ITA rankings. UC Santa Barbara went 18-5 and was ranked No. 38 and Pacific went 15-9 and was No. 55.  UNM finished at No. 62 in the final rankings.