SAN DIEGO – San Diego State women’s tennis Head Coach Nicolas Vinel has been named the 2026 Mountain West Women’s Tennis Coach of the Year, the conference announced on Thursday. Additionally, six San Diego State student-athletes were selected to the all-tournament team in singles and doubles.
Vinel is in his first season at the helm of the program after 11 seasons coaching under Peter Mattera. Vinel joins Mattera as the second coach in program history to garner Coach of the Year honors.
The French native led San Diego State to its most wins since the 2013 campaign and the eighth 20+ win season in program history. The Aztecs are currently 21-3 on the year and finished 10-1 in the Mountain West, picking up their second consecutive regular season conference championship and second tournament title in the last three years along the way. The team is now gearing up for the opening round of the NCAA Championships on Friday.
The Mountain West also announced the All-Tournament Team on Thursday, with the Aztecs filling up the lineup.
Senior Jo-Yee Chan claims the No. 1 spot in singles as well as Tournament MVP honors after notching wins on the top court against Wyoming and Grand Canyon. In the second spot, senior Gloria Alogo earns her second all-tournament accolade of her career. The fourth court went to Vesa Gjinaj, who clinched the tournament title with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over UNLV’s Kaho Oyama in the championship match. Teja Tirunelveli was recognized in the fifth spot following two wins against Wyoming and Grand Canyon. Lastly, Liisa Varul takes spot No. 6 for the first all-conference honor of her career.
In doubles, Chan and Vessa Turley claim the top spot on the All-Tournament Team after dominating the top court with three key wins. Alogo and Varul take the third spot after going 2-1 over the weekend, including a victory over UNLV’s Oyama and Sofiia Sokolvak to help lead the Aztecs to a championship.
The Aztecs return to action Friday morning at 10 a.m. as they take on UCLA in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, hosted by Arizona State.
2026 Mountain West All-Tournament Team
SINGLES
1. Jo-Yee Chan, San Diego State (MVP)
2. Gloria Alogo, San Diego State
3. Masa Viriant, Boise State
4. Vesa Gjinaj, San Diego State
5. Teja Tirunelveli, San Diego State
6. Liisa Varul, San Diego State
DOUBLES
1. Jo -Yee Chan/Vessa Turley, San Diego State
2. Gala Arangio/Karina Hofbauer, Grand Canyon
3. Gloria Alogo/Liisa Varul, San Diego State