AZUSA, Calif. — It was a statement week across the board for Azusa Pacific University Athletics, as both the men's and women's tennis programs swept the PacWest Conference weekly honors following a dominant opening stretch to the 2026 season.
On the women's side, sophomore Stina Larsson was named PacWest Player of the Week, while the Cougars earned Team of the Week honors after racing out to a 4–0 start that included three conference wins and a statement victory over Division I UC Riverside.
Larsson, the 2025 PacWest Freshman of the Year, went a perfect 4–0 in singles and 3–1 in doubles during the opening week. Playing on the top courts, she defeated UC Riverside's Susannah Su, Concordia's Bryn Johnson, Westmont's Thea Donarski, and Point Loma's Alina Kupfer in a marquee matchup between two of the conference's top players. In doubles, Larsson paired with Karola Suviste for three wins in four matches, with their lone loss coming against Division I competition. The duo previously captured the Fall West Region ITA Doubles Championship.
As a team, Azusa Pacific picked up wins over UC Riverside (4–3), Concordia (6–1), Point Loma (5–2), and Westmont (7–0). Against UCR, the Cougars dropped the doubles point before storming back behind straight-set wins from Larsson and Kimberly Tran, followed by three-set clinchers from Melis Mert and Suviste. A similar rally powered the Cougars past defending PacWest champion Point Loma, highlighted by Larsson's win on court one and additional victories from Vini Bautista, Suviste, Shannele Lopez, Tran, and Mert. Tran opened the season unbeaten in both singles and doubles.
The strong start has Azusa Pacific ranked No. 15 nationally in the January 14 ITA poll, with the next rankings release scheduled for February 18.
The men's program matched the momentum, as sophomore David James Brownlee earned PacWest Player of the Week honors and the Cougars were named Team of the Week following a 3–0 opening run.
Brownlee went 6–0 overall, undefeated in both singles and doubles while competing primarily on court two. He earned wins over UC Riverside, Westmont, and Point Loma in singles play, including a three-set battle against UCR's Ivaylo Simeonov, and teamed with Viktor Van Craenenbroek to sweep all three doubles matches.
Azusa Pacific opened the season with wins over UC Riverside (5–2), Point Loma (6–1), and Westmont (7–0). Soeren Grandke was dominant on the top courts, finishing 3–0 in singles and 2–1 in doubles, while Mathys Pinoi secured a pivotal three-set victory against UCR to help clinch the team win.
The Cougars are currently ranked No. 9 nationally in the January 14 ITA men's poll, with the next release also slated for February 18.
