At the start of the season, Virginia men’s tennis looked younger and less experienced than in years past. But with two convincing NCAA Tournament wins behind them and a Super Regional match against No. 10 seed Arizona coming Saturday, the team’s early promise is turning into real results.
“We’re a lot better today than we were in January,” said head coach Andres Pedroso after Virginia’s recent win over Princeton. “It’s been a real growth year for these guys.”
That growth is being led by a talented freshman class — particularly Rafael Jódar. Since joining the team in January, Jódar has quickly adjusted to college tennis. He climbed to the top singles spot and put together a 14-match winning streak before the ACC final. He’s now seen as one of the top players in college tennis.
“He’s arguably one of the best players in college,” Pedroso said. “He’s also done really well in school, so it’s been an impressive effort. We’re super proud of him.”
Jódar isn’t the only freshman making noise. Jangjun Kim has quietly become a dangerous player for Virginia. As he’s adapted to academics and competition, his on-court results have followed.
“He’s a momentum player,” Pedroso explained. “When he finds that rhythm, he can dominate. He has big weapons and can take control of a match quickly.”
Another standout is freshman Keegan Rice, who has shown both talent and resilience.
“Whenever Keegan has a tough day, he bounces back even stronger,” Pedroso said. “He adjusts, fights harder, and keeps growing.”
Rice credits his growth to the tight bond among the team’s freshmen.
“Coming in with a big freshman class, doing it all together — it really helped us connect with the team faster,” Rice said. “We’ve learned a lot just by experiencing things side-by-side.”
One of his best moments came when he clinched a crucial match against Stanford, just weeks after struggling with his form.
For veterans like graduate student James Hopper and junior Mans Dahlberg, watching the freshmen grow has been inspiring.
“I used to be the youngest on the team,” Dahlberg said. “Now I’m one of the older guys, and we’ve got a big group of freshmen coming in. It’s a full circle moment.”
The influence of the young players has gone beyond the lineup — it’s helped shape the team’s identity. The freshmen’s energy, competitiveness, and fast development have reinforced a team culture focused on growth, unity, and leadership at all levels.
That culture has helped the veterans thrive as well. Hopper, who was recovering from wrist surgery last season, is now one of Virginia’s most dependable players at No. 3 or No. 4 singles. He’s also a key leader for the younger players, especially Rice.
“Every day, he’s got advice for me,” Rice said. “We play doubles together and room together on trips. Just being around him and learning from his six years of experience — it’s been special.”
Virginia’s growth showed at the ACC Tournament, where they upset top-ranked Wake Forest in the semifinals before losing to Stanford in the final. For Pedroso, it was a sign of the team’s potential.
“In the postseason, it’s all about being mentally strong and united,” Pedroso said. “When we do that, we can beat anyone in the country.”
Now, Virginia is preparing for a tough third-round match against Arizona. A win would send them to the quarterfinals to face either TCU or Central Florida.
“Everyone in this tournament is a threat,” Pedroso said. “We’re staying humble, but we believe we can win.”
The team’s flexibility has also helped in doubles. Pairings have shifted throughout the season, but the mindset hasn’t changed: play hard, trust your partner, and compete with purpose.
With a chance to play in front of home fans again, the Cavaliers are motivated to deliver.
“You always want to play at home,” Pedroso said. “It’s fun to compete in front of a crowd that loves tennis. This community gives us great support.”
Six stars are stitched onto the back of Virginia’s uniforms — each representing a national title. But this year’s team isn’t focused on past success. They’re driven by a new hunger to create their own legacy, one match at a time.
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