2026 SSC Men’s Tennis Tournament Bracket Announced
All six teams enter the tournament nationally ranked.
A.J. Vazquez, Communications Contractor
Founded in 1975, Sunshine State Conference member institutions have won a total of 138 NCAA national championships across 15 sports and boast an NCAA Division II leading 89% Academic Success Rate. In 2025-26, the SSC marks its 50th anniversary, reflecting on a proud history of athletic and academic excellence.
ORLANDO, Fla. - The 48th Sunshine State Conference Men’s Tennis Championship opens April 30 and runs through May 1. All matches will take place at the Perper Tennis Complex on the campus of Lynn University. The tournament begins with seeds three through six competing, while the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds receive first-round byes. The final day features a third-place match at 9 a.m., followed by the championship at 1 p.m.
The SSC has solidified itself as one of the nation’s premier Division II tennis conferences in recent history. From 1996 to 2025, the SSC has sent a team to 19 championship matches, winning nine titles. This year’s tournament features all six teams ranked in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) poll released April 16. Additionally, seven individuals and five doubles pairs are ranked in the top 25. With a deep, nationally ranked field, the stage is set for high-level matchups throughout the tournament.
Barry University enters as the No. 1 seed after securing its eighth regular-season title with a perfect 7-0 record in conference play. The Buccaneers have been led by the nation’s top-ranked player, Yan Kodjoed, and No. 15 Riccardo Trione. Barry is seeking its 21st tournament title and ninth consecutive crown.
Saint Leo University is the No. 2 seed and also receives a first-round bye. The Lions are currently ranked No. 4 nationally and feature a strong group of ranked players and doubles teams, including No. 13 Jose David Segovia Perez, No. 22 Dylan Andrianaly, and the nation’s No. 2 doubles pair of Segovia Perez and Kodai Kato. Saint Leo was the last team to win the SSC tournament outside of Barry, claiming the 2016 title and ending the Buccaneers’ four-year run from 2012 to 2015.
Rollins College is the No. 3 seed and will face No. 6 seed Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the opening match. The teams are ranked No. 7 and No. 16, respectively, with Rollins winning their earlier meeting this month. The Tars are led by No. 7 Lawson Prather, while the Eagles feature No. 18 Marc Mail. Rollins also features the No. 16 doubles pair of Pete Tran and Richard Stoiberer.
No. 4 Florida Southern College and No. 5 Lynn University will also meet in the first round. Florida Southern is ranked No. 13, while Lynn sits at No. 23. The Mocs won the teams’ earlier matchup this season and secured the No. 4 seed with a win over Embry-Riddle to close the regular season. Florida Southern’s Mario Garoz is ranked No. 9, while Lynn’s Louay Makke is No. 25. The Knights feature the No. 10 doubles pair of Makke and Davide Cortimiglia, while the Mocs bring the No. 25 pair of Garoz and Edoardo Melindo.
Tiebreaking procedures were conducted by SSC staff in accordance with conference seeding protocols.
The SSC tournament champion will earn an automatic berth to the 2026 NCAA Division II Men’s Tennis Championship. Regional rounds will be held at non-predetermined sites from May 8-12, with the finals scheduled for May 20-24 at the Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex in Surprise, Arizona. The championships will be hosted by the Pacific West Conference and the City of Surprise. NCAA postseason selections will be announced Tuesday, May 5.