Troy University Athletics
Sakamoto Highlights Troy Men’s Tennis in SBC Postseason Honors
4/17/2025 11:00:00 AM | Tennis (M)
TROY, Ala. – Troy's Hiiro Sakakmoto was named the Sun Belt Men's Tennis Freshman of the Year. Additionally, Yeray Andres Pastor was named to the Singles Second Team All-Conference, and the duo of Noah Martens and Nicolas Simkin were named to the Doubles Second Team All-Conference.
Sakamoto, a native of Kumamoto, Japan, had a remarkable opening season, posting a team-best 21-3 record during dual play. He finished the regular season winning eight of his last 10 matches. He was 13-2 at the No. 4 spot and a 7-1 record at No. 5. In Sun Belt play, we went 5-2 in singles. All 21 of his spring wins came in straight sets.
In doubles, Sakamoto went 15-6, including 4-2 in Sun Belt play.
"Hiiro was very remarkable this season," head coach Rolando Vargas said. "He is always working harder than anyone. He Is staying late after practice and coming earlier than everybody. His work showed and made a difference."
Pastor earned Singles Second-Team All-Conference after recording an impressive record of 14-3 this dual season while playing in the top two spots. Against Sun Belt foes, Pastor was 2-2. He went 5-2 while playing in the No. 1 spot and 9-1 at No. 2.
"Yeray has improved a lot from the previous years," Vargas said. "He has used his experience and he's grown a lot going into the number one spot, which is never easy. He really stepped up and became a leader for us. I'm very excited about what the future is going to be for him."
In doubles, the duo of Martens and Simkin proved to be crucial to the overall team success this season. The partnership went 7-5 this spring – all at No. 1 – and 3-2 in conference play. When Troy won the doubles point this season, they were 15-1.
"The fact that we were able to keep that doubles pairing intact made a huge difference," Vargas said. "I'm very thrilled that they receive this honor. They both deserve it."
Troy opens play in the Sun Belt Tournament on Friday, as it takes on Louisiana in the quarterfinals. First serve is set for 9 a.m. in Rome, Ga.
Sakamoto, a native of Kumamoto, Japan, had a remarkable opening season, posting a team-best 21-3 record during dual play. He finished the regular season winning eight of his last 10 matches. He was 13-2 at the No. 4 spot and a 7-1 record at No. 5. In Sun Belt play, we went 5-2 in singles. All 21 of his spring wins came in straight sets.
In doubles, Sakamoto went 15-6, including 4-2 in Sun Belt play.
"Hiiro was very remarkable this season," head coach Rolando Vargas said. "He is always working harder than anyone. He Is staying late after practice and coming earlier than everybody. His work showed and made a difference."
Pastor earned Singles Second-Team All-Conference after recording an impressive record of 14-3 this dual season while playing in the top two spots. Against Sun Belt foes, Pastor was 2-2. He went 5-2 while playing in the No. 1 spot and 9-1 at No. 2.
"Yeray has improved a lot from the previous years," Vargas said. "He has used his experience and he's grown a lot going into the number one spot, which is never easy. He really stepped up and became a leader for us. I'm very excited about what the future is going to be for him."
In doubles, the duo of Martens and Simkin proved to be crucial to the overall team success this season. The partnership went 7-5 this spring – all at No. 1 – and 3-2 in conference play. When Troy won the doubles point this season, they were 15-1.
"The fact that we were able to keep that doubles pairing intact made a huge difference," Vargas said. "I'm very thrilled that they receive this honor. They both deserve it."
Troy opens play in the Sun Belt Tournament on Friday, as it takes on Louisiana in the quarterfinals. First serve is set for 9 a.m. in Rome, Ga.
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