DeLAND, Fla. — Fresh off the first ASUN Championship in program history and the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance, the Stetson men's tennis team finished the 2026 season ranked No. 9 in the final ITA Southeast Regional Rankings.
The Hatters were one of just two ASUN programs to crack the regional top 10, joining conference rival North Florida, which finished 10th. Stetson's ranking also made the Hatters the highest-ranked mid-major program in the Southeast Region.
The Southeast Region is widely regarded as one of the strongest in the nation, featuring national powers such as Georgia, UCF, Florida, Miami, Florida State, Georgia Tech, South Florida, and Florida Atlantic. Stetson finished ahead of North Florida, whom the Hatters defeated in the ASUN Final 4-3, and stood as the only non-Power Four institution ranked among the region's top nine teams.
Stetson concluded the season with a 14-7 record and a historic postseason run. After entering the ASUN Championship as the No. 3 seed, the Hatters defeated Lipscomb, North Alabama, and North Florida to capture the program's first conference tournament title after previously falling in nine championship match appearances.
The championship secured Stetson's first NCAA Tournament berth, where the Hatters faced Florida in the opening round of the NCAA Orlando Regional.
Individually, the Hatters earned significant postseason recognition. Graduate transfer Alexandre Verlaguet was named All-ASUN First Team, while Xavier Sarda Marti garnered All-ASUN Second Team honors. Christian Kuehne was named ASUN Tournament MVP after clinching the championship match against the Ospreys.
The No. 9 regional ranking is the latest milestone for a Stetson program that continued its ascent in 2026, establishing itself among the elite teams in the Southeast while delivering one of the most successful seasons in school history.
Final ITA Southeast Regional Top 10
- Georgia
- UCF
- Florida
- Miami
- Florida State
- Georgia Tech
- South Florida
- Florida Atlantic
- Stetson
- North Florida
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
