Stephenson Punches Ticket to NCAA Singles Championships at ITA Sectionals

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Kentucky Men’s Tennis senior Eli Stephenson dominated in the quarterfinals of the ITA Men’s South Sectional Championship Saturday, securing his appearance at the 2026 NCAA Singles Championships.

In the round of 32, Stephenson bested Georgia Tech’s Gianluca Carlini in two straight sets, 6-1, 6-4. Following the win, the senior entered a three-set battle with conference foe and Auburn sophomore Manel Lazaro Juncadella in the round of 16. Stephenson nabbed the first set 6-4, but Juncadella secured the 6-3 second-set victory. The Kentucky native fought back in the third, taking it 6-4. 

Entering the quarterfinals, Stephenson needed a victory in order to secure a 2026 NCAA Singles Championships berth. The senior commanded the quarterfinal matchup against No. 8-seed Vlado Jankanj of Ole Miss, winning 6-4, 6-0.

This is the second straight appearance at the NCAA Singles Championships for Stephenson, advancing to the round of 32 at last year’s tournament. He joins sophomore Nicolas Arseneault, who qualified for the NCAAs after making the quarterfinals at the ITA All-American Championship.

Two other Wildcats, Oscar Lien and Mikael Arseneault, competed internationally this week at the ITF M15 Trois-Rivières in Quebec, Canada.

Freshman Oscar Lien is proving to have a successful run, advancing to the finals. In the round of 32, Lien dominated Matthew Michibata, 6-2, 6-1. Lien went to three sets in the round of 16 against Cornell junior Rodrigo Fernandes. The Wildcat freshman took the first set with ease, 6-1, but Fernandes fought back and nabbed the 6-4 win in the second set. However, Lien was unshaken, winning the third set 6-2 and punching his ticket to the quarterfinals. Facing Daniel De Jonge in the quarterfinals, the Norway native proceeded to command his match, claiming the 6-3, 6-4 victory. In the semifinals, Lien took another two-set win, going 7-6, 6-4 against Cornell senior Eric Verdes.

Lien will face Nikola Slavic at the ITF M15 Trois-Rivières Finals on Nov. 7, at 11 a.m. ET.

Sophomore Mikael Arseneault made a statement at the ITF M15 Trois-Rivières. Arsenault cruised through his first three singles matches, failing to drop a single set. In the round of 32, the Ontario native battled Clemson senior Marko Mesarovic in the first set, ultimately earning the win in a tiebreak, 7-6(4). Arseneault cleaned up in the second set, winning 6-1. The round of 16 went quickly for Arseneault, taking down Utah State junior Eliot Nobel, 6-2, in both sets. In the quarterfinals, the sophomore continued his dominance with a 6-3, 6-4 takedown of Oskar Brostrom Polsen. His run in his home country was cut short in the semifinals after falling 6-4, 6-4 to Nikola Slavic.

Eli Stephenson and Nicolas Arseneault will travel to Athens, Ga. to compete at the NCAA Singles Championships on Nov. 17-22. The draw will be announced by the NCAA on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. ET.