Elevating the Racket: Yale Tennis Poised for Breakthrough Seasons

As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, the Yale men's and women's tennis teams are gearing up for an electrifying season. With a blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, the Bulldogs are primed to make a statement on the courts and rewrite the narrative of their programs.

Unleashing the Bulldog Potential: A Season of Possibilities

Bulldogs Bolster Roster with Promising Recruits

The Yale men's tennis team boasts a formidable lineup, with eight returning players and three exciting new additions. Transfer student Jason Shuler '28 from Scarsdale, N.Y., and freshmen Edward Liao '28 from Commack, N.Y., and Krish Gupta '28 from Fremont, Calif., bring a wealth of talent and experience to the squad. Complementing the newcomers are sophomores Dylan Tsoi '27 and Jim Ji '27, both hailing from California, as well as juniors Eric Li '26 from Skillman, N.J., and Vignesh Gogineni '26 from Mason, Ohio. The senior class, led by team captain Aidan Reilly '25 from Stamford, Conn., and including Luke Neal '25 from Larkspur, Calif., Walker Oberg '25 from Weston, Mass., and Renaud Lefevre '25 from Los Angeles, provides the necessary leadership and experience to guide the team to new heights.

Women's Team Welcomes Promising Freshmen

The Yale women's tennis team, ranked 18th nationally in their recruiting class, has welcomed two talented first-year players: Julia Werdiger '28 from New York and Angela Huang '28 from Wexford, Pa. Joining the newcomers are a trio of sophomores: Orly Ogilvy '27 from Mississauga, Ontario, Erin Ha '27 from Tenafly, N.J., and Shyla Aggarwal '27 from Cincinnati, Ohio. The junior class, comprising Sophia Zaslow '26 from Holmdel, N.J., Ann Wright Guerry '26 from Atlanta, Ga., and Rebecca Lynn '26 from Newport Beach, Calif., provides a solid foundation for the team. Rounding out the roster are the senior duo of Mirabelle Brettkelly '25 from San Francisco, Calif., and team captain Jamie Kim '25 from Mason, Ohio.

Interim Coach Ugalde Brings Wealth of Experience

The Bulldogs will have a new face at the helm this season, as Head Coach Chris Drake steps away from the program to focus on his health after a bout with long COVID-19. Interim Head Coach Eduardo Ugalde, a graduate of North Carolina Wesleyan College, will take over the reins until Drake's return. Ugalde, who has previously coached at Alabama and Duke, has an impressive track record, leading his previous team to four NCAA Team National appearances.

Bulldogs Aim to End NCAA Tournament Drought

The men's tennis team, led by the ITA 50th-ranked singles player Gogineni and the 51st-ranked doubles team of Gogineni and Reilly, is determined to end their NCAA tournament drought, which has lasted for at least 30 years. Gogineni, who had a solid sophomore campaign, is eager to take his game to the next level and secure a spot in the NCAA individual tournament at the end of the fall season. The team's dynamic and strong work ethic have instilled a belief that they can achieve something special this year.

Women's Team Seeks Ivy League Glory

The women's tennis team, ranked 55th nationally, is brimming with confidence after a strong performance last season. Led by team captain Jamie Kim '25, the Bulldogs are focused on their primary goal of winning the Ivy League title in the spring. Kim, who is excited about the team's unique dynamic, with no seniors last year and the same core group returning, believes the Bulldogs are well-positioned to build on their previous success and continue their development as a team.