Athletics at the University of Arizona: Arizona Defeats UCF to Win the Big 12 Men’s Tennis Title
The University of Arizona continues to carve out a formidable presence in collegiate athletics, and this past weekend, the Wildcats cemented another legacy-defining achievement: a Big 12 Men’s Tennis Championship. In a thrilling finale marked by grit, poise, and elite-level tennis, Arizona knocked off UCF to capture the coveted conference title in their inaugural season competing in the Big 12.
For a program once considered a fringe contender in national conversations, Arizona’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Under head coach Clancy Shields, the Wildcats have transformed into a national tennis powerhouse, and their championship run in 2025 is the apex of a multi-year build filled with recruiting success, cultural rebranding, and a deep belief in development over stardom.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the journey, the match itself, and what this victory means for the future of Arizona athletics.
From the Desert to the Top: Arizona’s Tennis Revolution
Historically, Arizona’s tennis program struggled to gain traction among elite Pac-12 programs. While the Wildcats produced talent and had scattered appearances in the NCAA tournament, they often played in the shadows of traditional giants like UCLA, USC, and Stanford. That narrative began to shift under Clancy Shields, who took over in 2016.
Shields, a former All-American at Boise State and no stranger to building success in the West, immediately implemented a new culture of accountability and excellence. His vision was bold: turn Arizona into the most disciplined, toughest, and deepest team in the country.
By 2021, the Wildcats were already turning heads. They clinched a share of the Pac-12 regular season title in 2022 and made a solid NCAA tournament run. But the real transition came in 2024, when Arizona joined the Big 12. The move, initially driven by football and revenue dynamics, gave the tennis program a fresh landscape—and an opportunity to assert dominance.
The Path to the Title: Regular Season Dominance
Arizona entered the Big 12 with quiet confidence. While Texas and Baylor garnered national headlines, the Wildcats went about their business with machine-like precision. The 2025 regular season saw Arizona post an impressive 21-3 record, including 8-1 in conference play.
Their only conference loss came on the road against Texas Tech, a narrow 4-3 defeat that served as a wake-up call. From that point on, the Wildcats ran the table, notching signature wins over Baylor, TCU, and UCF.
What made Arizona so dangerous this season was its depth. While most programs rely heavily on their top two or three players, Arizona’s 4-6 singles players consistently clinched matches. The emergence of sophomore sensation Elias Theologis and the leadership of senior captain Jonas Ziverts made them lethal across all courts.
Their doubles teams also became a weapon late in the season, winning the doubles point in 11 of their last 13 matches entering the Big 12 tournament.
Championship Sunday: Arizona vs. UCF
The Big 12 Championship final was played at the Hurd Tennis Center in Waco, Texas—a neutral site that turned into a pressure cooker as the Wildcats faced off against the University of Central Florida.
UCF had been on a tear, riding momentum from upset wins over TCU and Oklahoma State. Led by standout junior Gabriel Decamps and the crafty doubles play of Taha Baadi and Lleyton Cronje, the Knights were hungry for their first Big 12 crown.
But Arizona had other plans.
The match began with doubles play, and Arizona came out with controlled aggression. The pair of Ziverts and Theologis dispatched UCF’s top duo 6-4, while Court 2 was even more emphatic as Jay Friend and Colton Smith dominated 6-2 to clinch the opening point.
With the 1-0 advantage, Arizona turned to its singles depth. On Court 1, Ziverts engaged in a high-level battle with Decamps, both players trading blows in long, strategic rallies. While Ziverts ultimately fell in a third-set tiebreaker, Arizona was far from shaken.
Freshman Colton Smith, playing at No. 4, showed maturity beyond his years. Down a set early, he rallied to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, giving Arizona a crucial second point.
Elias Theologis then delivered the moment of the day.
Locked in a nail-biting second set, he saved three set points against UCF’s Matteo De Vincentis and clinched his match 7-5, 7-6(6), sending the Arizona bench into a frenzy.
Minutes later, on Court 6, senior Aidan Carter delivered the championship-winning point, ripping a forehand winner down the line to close out a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 victory.
Final score: Arizona 4, UCF 1.
Clancy Shields Reacts: ‘This is Our Moment’
Moments after the final handshake, Coach Shields was emotional.
“I’ve seen these guys grow from underdogs into champions,” he said. “When we moved into the Big 12, people doubted us. They thought we were just a desert team trying to hang with blue bloods. But today, we proved that Arizona belongs on top.”
Shields praised his seniors, who had been part of the initial foundation, as well as his young core.
“This isn’t the end. This is the beginning. We’re going to keep climbing.”
A Historic First: Big 12 Title in Year One
Arizona’s win marked the first time in Big 12 history that a first-year member won the men’s tennis title. For a conference that has long been ruled by Texas and Baylor, this shift signals a possible new era.
“This was more than just a title,” said Arizona Athletic Director Dave Heeke. “It was a message to the rest of the country. We’re not here to fill spots. We’re here to win championships.”
The Big 12 championship also ensures Arizona a top national seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. They’ll likely host the first and second rounds in Tucson, giving them a significant home-court advantage in the desert heat.
The Players Who Made It Happen
Several Wildcats stood out throughout the season and into the championship:
- Jonas Ziverts (Senior, Sweden): The team captain, emotional leader, and top-line player. His maturity and leadership were invaluable.
- Colton Smith (Freshman, Arizona): A local star from Scottsdale, Smith made an instant impact with poise and a relentless baseline game.
- Elias Theologis (Sophomore, Greece): Quiet but deadly. Theologis’s consistency and clutch play became essential during postseason matches.
- Jay Friend (Junior, New Zealand): Known for his energetic play in doubles and composure under pressure.
- Aidan Carter (Senior, Texas): The unsung hero. Carter clinched three matches in the postseason and delivered the title-clinching point.
Building for the Future
Arizona’s championship isn’t a flash in the pan—it’s the product of meticulous planning, culture building, and a vision from the top down.
Recruiting momentum is already surging. The 2025 recruiting class includes international blue-chip prospects and two top-10 American juniors. Arizona has become a destination for players who want to win and develop in a tight-knit, professional environment.
What’s more impressive is the synergy between tennis and other Arizona sports programs. With the football team’s resurgence under Brent Brennan, women’s basketball climbing into national relevance again, and baseball consistently contending, Arizona athletics is experiencing a renaissance.
The men’s tennis title is just the latest piece of hardware, and perhaps the most symbolic—proof that a once-overlooked program can rise to the top with vision, grit, and belief.
What’s Next? NCAA Championship Awaits
With the Big 12 trophy in hand, Arizona now turns its focus to the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats are projected to be a top-5 national seed and should cruise through the early rounds. But the road to a national title won’t be easy.
Contenders like Ohio State, Virginia, Florida, and TCU stand in their way. However, Arizona’s team-first mentality, match toughness, and now championship pedigree give them a real shot at winning it all.
“The Big 12 title was special,” said Ziverts, “but we’re not done. There’s one more trophy we want.”