UC Santa Barbara
Regular Season Title to be Decided in Blue-Green Clash Versus No. 35 UCSB
4/16/2026 4:30:00 PM | Men's Tennis
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — The Mustangs return to Ronca Tennis Center for the final weekend of regular-season play: a Blue-Green clash against Big West leaders No. 35 UC Santa Barbara (16-5, 5-0 Big West) on Friday at 5 p.m. Hospitality will be available.
Cal Poly, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Irvine each have an opportunity to win a share of the regular-season title this weekend. Two of the possible scenarios involve the Mustangs, and the Blue-Green Rivalry will specifically determine the regular-season champion. Cal Poly (13-8) sits just behind the Gauchos with a 4-1 Big West record. Below are the exact implications depending on whether Cal Poly or UCSB wins:
- Cal Poly wins versus UCSB – Cal Poly and UCSB share the regular-season title as co-champions (or tri-champions if UC Irvine also finishes 5-1).
- UCSB wins at Cal Poly – UCSB wins the regular-season title outright.
On April 19 of last season, the Mustangs fell to No. 34 UC Santa Barbara 0-4, marking the sixth straight loss to the Gauchos since 2021. UCSB leads the all-time series 34-17.
Jovan Lubbe, Cal Poly’s freshman phenom and singles dual wins leader (12-7), will likely be tasked with facing one of the Gauchos’ two top-ranked players at the top spot: No. 57 Dominique Rolland (11-4) or No. 89 Lucca Liu (11-2).
Facing down the other ranked Gaucho in singles will be one of a few Mustang options depending on how head coach Nick Carless decides to set the board. Aaron Eliscu is the most current No. 2 piece for the Mustangs, holding at 11-6 overall record on the season with a 2-2 standing at the two spot. Raz Haviv (5-10) is 3-6 at No. 2 but has not played there lately. Luc Hoeijmans (9-3) split time at No. 1 with Lubbe earlier in the season, going 2-2 as the headliner but has not stepped into either of the top two spots since suffering a minor, lingering injury a few weeks ago.
Liu, a senior from Brazil, has played the last five matches at the No. 1 spot and co-leads the Gauchos in singles dual wins alongside Rolland and Diogo Morais. His only two losses came against No. 72 Niksa Arsic of Texas Tech and reigning back-to-back Big West Player of the Week Hiroki Sakagawa.
The doubles duo of Liu and Miguel Avendano Cadena checked in at No. 55 in the weekly ITA Doubles Rankings. Lubbe will likely face them on the first court, partnered with his South African countryman and fellow freshman star Leo Matthysen.
Cal Poly will kick off the match by celebrating seniors Eliscu and Hoeijmans. Both have fought valiantly throughout the lineup and provided much-needed veteran leadership to a young, learning squad that has rewritten its story since last season’s setback.
Along with Senior Night honors, postseason implications, and regular-season bragging rights on the line, the weekend also features alumni festivities. The schedule is as follows:
Friday, April 17
- 4 p.m. | Women's Tennis Alumni Panel | Location: Classroom on the second floor of Mott Athletics Center.
- 5 p.m. | Cal Poly Men's Tennis vs. UCSB | Location: Ronca Tennis Center
Saturday, April 18
- 10 a.m. | Cardio Tennis Triples led by Cal Poly Women's Tennis | Location: Ronca Tennis Center
- Note: This is a co-ed event, and all levels are welcome! Suggested donation of $50 per person — Click here to give today!
- 1 p.m. | Cal Poly Women's Tennis vs. UCSB | Location: Ronca Tennis Center
- 5:30 p.m. | Tennis End-of-Year Banquet | Location: Ronca Tennis Center
