JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Eastern Kentucky University men's tennis standout Nuno Pinheiro was named to the Atlantic Sun Conference Men's Tennis Preseason All-Conference team, the league announced Tuesday.
 
Pinheiro, a native of Portugal, enters the 2026 spring season following a breakout junior campaign in which he posted a 14-6 singles record and earned First Team All-ASUN honors. He also finished the year with a 12-7 mark in doubles play for an overall record of 26-13.
 
During the fall portion of the 2025-26 schedule, Pinheiro continued his strong form, going 9-4 in singles action. His results included Power Five victories over Louisville's Russell Lokko (6-4, 3-6, 10-6) and Tennessee's Ethan Muza (5-3, retired). Pinheiro advanced to the Round of 64 at the ITA Regional Championships hosted by Purdue University.
 
Last spring, Pinheiro opened the season with an 11-1 singles record and was named ASUN Men's Tennis Player of the Week twice. His nonconference wins included victories over Louisville's Andre Steinback (6-4, 4-6, 10-8), Xavier's Ryan Cahill (2-6, 7-5, 12-10) and Saint Louis' Luca Lo Nardo (6-0, 6-1).
 
In conference play, Pinheiro finished the season strong, winning three of his final four matches at the top court. He earned straight-set victories over Austin Peay's Giovanni Becchis (6-4, 6-2), Bellarmine's Jack Batchelor (6-3, 6-4) and Lipscomb's Oskar Szymczak (6-3, 6-3).
 
Pinheiro also made an impact in doubles, recording Power Five wins against pairs from Ole Miss and Louisville from the No. 2 position. He and his partner also held a 4-3 lead over a ranked Middle Tennessee duo before the match was declared unfinished.
 
EKU opens the 2026 spring season Tuesday, Jan. 13, hosting East Tennessee State. The Colonels are scheduled to face five Power Five or nationally-ranked opponents in their first eight matches of the season.