Following a vote by the league's head coaches, the Liberty League announced its 2025-26 Men's Tennis major awards and All-League teams.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Yu Tanimoto, RIT
A year after being named the 2024-25 Liberty League Rookie of the Year, RIT sophomore Yu Tanimoto was selected as the 2025-26 Liberty League Player of the Year. This season, Tanimoto posted an overall record of 19-4, including a 16-2 mark from the Tigers’ number one singles spot in dual matches. He topped the league in No. 1 singles victories, while ranking second in No. 1 singles winning percentage (.889), and third in total wins. In league play, Tanimoto went 6-1 as he led the Tigers to a second straight Liberty League postseason appearance. Tanimoto also teamed up with classmate Alexander Sinclair at number one doubles; the pair went 18-5 this season and were 7-1 against conference foes. They paced the league in total victories, No. 1 doubles victories (15) and No. 1 doubles winning percentage (.833). They were also third among league leaders in overall doubles winning percentage (.783). Tanimoto qualified to compete at the NCAA Division III Championships in both singles and doubles with Sinclair, the duo are RIT’s first-ever NCAA Men’s Tennis tournament participants.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Ege Topbas, Skidmore
For the first time since the 2021-22 campaign, a Skidmore College first-year has been recognized as Liberty League Rookie of the Year, with Ege Topbas garnering the 2025-26 accolade. Topbas had a breakout season for the Thoroughbreds from the No. 4 singles spot, where he went 21-1 this spring. He finished the year at 27-5 overall and closed out the year on a 19-match winning streak. Against league opponents, the six-time Liberty League Rookie of the Week, posted an unblemished 8-0 mark as Skidmore earned the second seed of the conference tournament before claiming the 2026 title. In doubles, he and Kyle Lundberg played at number three in ten matches and number two in four matches. The pair went 15-7 overall and 5-3 in league play. They ended the year on a five-match winning streak.
COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR: Skidmore College
The Skidmore College Men’s Tennis Coaching Staff was named the Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year. Head Coach AJ Nelson and assistant coach John Chiaramonte directed the Thoroughbreds to a 17-6 overall record and a 7-1 mark against conference opponents. Skidmore earned the second seed of the league tournament and posted back-to-back victories (4-1 W, 4-3 W) en route to the 2026 title. It was Skidmore’s first Liberty League title since 2021 and 16th overall. With the league’s automatic qualifier, the Thoroughbreds returned to the NCAA Tournament for the team championship for the first time since 2021 and advanced to the second round.