Tennis season is starting to heat up, and the River States Conference is excited to take a look at the 2026 seasons for our member schools! Each RSC school talked with athletes and coaches from their teams, with those interviews linked below as part of Media Day!
Additionally, each school has spotlighted athletes expected to be major contributors during the 2026 campaign, and are also listed below as our 2026 Players to Watch!
MEN's TENNIS
BRESCIA
Media Day
Players to Watch
Kostiantyn Zviahintsev
Junior | Ukraine
Zviahintsev is described as a powerful lefty with all types of variety, a solid net game, and a good serve. According to the Brescia coaching staff, his intensity helps lift the team.
IU EAST
Media Day
Players to Watch
Sachin Vanaraja
Senior | Chennai, India
Vanaraja will finish out his collegiate career as the top Red Wolves returning player. Last year, Vanaraja was playing near the top of the lineup all year in both singles and doubles, and was named to the RSC Second Team for his efforts.
IU SOUTHEAST
Media Day
Players to Watch
Paxton Evitts
Sophomore | Greenville, Kentucky
Evitts played at the top of the Grenadiers' lineup during the fall season. According to coaches, Evitts is healthy and hungry and has gained confidence throughout the season.
EJ Brosmer
Freshman | Ferdinand, Indiana
According to the IU Southeast staff, Brosmer has a been a nice addition and has gained momentum throughout the fall. He played near the top of the lineup during the fall season, slotting in as the number two singles player.
MIDWAY
Media Day
Players to Watch
Mudiwa Munyimani
Freshman | Melbourne, Australia
An seasoned player in the Australian youth circuit, the Melbourne native has a great deal of high-level experience despite being just a freshman.
Ricardo Starosta
Junior | Porto Alegre, Brazil
A transfer from Division II West Virginia Wesleyan, the Brazilian has played against elite competition all over the globe, including Joao Fonseca, who has risen as high as No. 24 in the world rankings.
OAKLAND CITY
Players to Watch
Jose Andres Perez Perez
Senior | Guanajuato, Mexico
Perez Perez ended the 2025 season as the 50th ranked singles player in the nation, and helped the Mighty Oaks to another RSC title. He was a First Team All-River States Conference selection, and was picked as the 2025 RSC Player of the Year.
Agustin Siufi
Senior | Jujuy, Argentina
Siufi was a First Team All-Conference selection last season for the RSC champions. This fall, he and partner Michael Wassef earned a first round victory over a duo from Marian at the ITA Midwest Regional Championships.
SHAWNEE STATE
Players to Watch
Daniel Cristobal
Senior | Cancun, Mexico
Cristobal is one of the top returning players in the Shawnee State lineup. He played at the top singles flight for the Bears for much of 2025, and did the same in doubles action.
Landon Smith
Freshman | Jackson, Ohio
In his first season of collegiate tennis, Smith is expected to see time at the top of the Bears' lineup. He played at number one singles during the fall, which included a victory over Mount Vernon Nazarene.
WOMEN's TENNIS
BRESCIA
Media Day
Players to Watch
Destiny Okinawae
Freshman | Nigeria
Coaches describe the freshman as very athletic, with a powerful game in all phases. She is a team player and has shown promise in doubles with her partner, freshman Aisha Merchant.
IU EAST
Media Day
Players to Watch
Gracie Helms
Junior | Centerville, Indiana
Helms returns for her junior season for the Red Wolves. She has been near the top of the lineup so far this season in both singles and doubles, and was named to the RSC Third Team last year.
IU KOKOMO
Media Day
Players to Watch
Ava Allen
Junior | Brownsburg, Indiana
Allen was one of the top players in the River States Conference last season, earning First Team All-RSC honors. She is expected once again to be at the top of the Cougar lineup in both singles and doubles action.
Chloe Schmidt
Senior | Russiaville, Indiana
Schmidt got her spring season off to a strong start, winning both of her matches in IU Kokomo's opener against Rose-Hulman
IU SOUTHEAST
Media Day
Players to Watch
Libby Banet
Sophomore | Floyds Knobs, Indiana
Banet has earned some nice wins this fall and she and Kate Halbig have formed a solid doubles team for the Grenadiers.
Kate Halbig
Sophomore | Evansville, Indiana
According to coaches, Halbig has been a strong leader for IU Southeast and has formed a talented doubles team with Libby Banet that anchors the team's lineup.
MIDWAY
Media Day
Players to Watch
Emma Pheiffer
Freshman | Cape Town, South Africa
A very athletic player with great foundation in her game in both singles and doubles, the South Africa native has already have a chance to play against many collegiate-level players entering her freshman season.
Alicia Sanglas Sanglas
Freshman | Barcelona, Spain
Coming from Barcelona, one of the premier tennis cities in the world, Alicia has molded her game playing on both hard and clay courts and is expected to bring a major competitive fire in her freshman season
OAKLAND CITY
Players to Watch
Melissa de Jong
Sophomore | Netherlands
De Jong was a Second Team All-Conference selection last season for the conference champions, and will be a mainstay in the Oakland City lineup again this season.
Maria Trembach
Senior | Kyiv, Ukraine
Trembach was named the RSC Player of the Year last season, earning both First Team All-Conference and Third Team All-American honors. She started her spring season with two wins against Tennessee Southern, winning at the third singles and top doubles flight.
SHAWNEE STATE
Players to Watch
Miranda Johnson
Sophomore | Minford, Ohio
Johnson returns for her second season in a Shawnee State uniform. She appeared in the SSU lineup throughout the 2025 season, including picking up a conference win in singles play over IU East.
Marissa Justice
Freshman | Portsmouth, Ohio
Justice is expected to be a major contributor in her first season of collegiate tennis. She has immediately earned a spot in the Bears' lineup, playing at number two singles and number one doubles during the fall.