The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo men’s tennis team places No. 3 in the PacWest Conference 2024 Preseason Coaches Poll. The Vulcans took the conference title back in 2021 and are voted to be in the race for this season.
They return four starters in Agustin Gentile (2023 All-PacWest Third Team), Luca Matheiowetz (2022 All-PacWest Third Team), Filippo Di Perna, and Coby Pearce. The Vulcans welcome Ryo Minakata a transfer player from Boise State. Minakata reached the semifinals of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association West Region tournament and comes into the season ranked fourth in the region.
Cian McDonnell also earned a region ranking (No. 9) based on three standout seasons at North Dakota. Other transfers that quickly help the Vulcans contend are Lamar Bartley (Valdosta State), Jaime Paquet (Tennessee Tech), Jacob Gailey (Shorter) and Yu Jhe Du (Western New Mexico).
For more visit HiloAthletics.com.
