BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Bucknell received two of the four 2026 Patriot League Men’s Tennis major awards, while Lehigh and Navy each claimed one, as the League office announced the All-Patriot League teams and major awards on Friday.

Bucknell senior Amar Tahirovic was named the 2026 Patriot League Men’s Tennis Player of the Year after posting a 19–3 record at No. 1 singles, including a 6–1 mark against League opponents with 18 straight-set victories. 

Tahirovic also teamed with Brendan McDonald to earn Patriot League Men’s Tennis Doubles Team of the Year honors after going 11–2 at No. 1 doubles. McDonald (96) and Tahirovic (92) will graduate ranked first and second, respectively, on Bucknell’s career doubles wins list.

Lehigh first-year Aleksandar Daskalovic was named Patriot League Men’s Tennis Rookie of the Year after finishing 7–6 in singles, including a perfect 3–0 Patriot League regular season record and a 2–1 postseason mark. 

The Navy coaching staff, led by head coach Chris Garner, was named Patriot League Men’s Tennis Coaching Staff of the Year after guiding the Mids to a 27–17 overall record en route to winning their 16^th title in program history. 

Seven of the League’s nine teams were represented across the two All-League teams. Army West Point and Navy each had three selections, Bucknell and Lehigh had two selections, while Lafayette, Holy Cross and Loyola Maryland each had one. 
 
The major awards and All-League teams are voted on by the League’s nine head coaches, who are not permitted to vote for their student-athletes or themselves.

2026 Patriot League Men’s Tennis Player of the Year
Amar Tahirovic, Bucknell, Sr., Stuttgart, Germany/Stuttgart
*Tahirovic posted a 19–3 record at No. 1 singles, including 6–1 vs. Patriot League opponents with 18 straight-set wins.
*He earned wins over multiple top opponents, with his only losses coming against Columbia, Stetson and Army West Point.
*Tahirovic broke Bucknell’s career record for singles wins (113) and combined wins (205) and ends his career as a four-time First Team All-League and the 2025 and 2026 Patriot League Men’s Tennis Player of the Year.

2026 Patriot League Men’s Tennis Doubles Team of the Year
Amar Tahirovic / Brendan McDonald, Bucknell
*Tahirovic and McDonald went 11–2 at No. 1 doubles, including two Patriot League wins, with their only losses coming against No. 10 Columbia and Temple.
*McDonald (96) and Tahirovic (92) graduate ranked number one and two respectively on Bucknell’s career doubles wins list.

2026 Patriot League Men’s Tennis Rookie of the Year
Aleksandar Daskalovic, Lehigh, Fy., Belgrade, Serbia/Poslovno Technicka Skola
*Daskalovic finished 7–6 in singles, including a perfect 3–0 Patriot League regular season record and 2–1 postseason mark.
*The first-year went 5–2 at No. 3 singles while also contributing across Nos. 4 and 5 in the lineup.
*Daskalovic picked up key wins over Navy, Loyola Maryland, Bucknell and Lafayette, and added a 2–3 doubles record with time at line two and three.

2026 Patriot League Women’s Tennis Coaching Staff of the Year
Navy – Head Coach Chris Garner
*Garner led Navy to a 27–17 overall record and a 6–1 mark in Patriot League play.
*Guided the Mids to the No. 2 seed and a 4–2 victory over No. 1 Lehigh in the championship match.
*Secured the program’s 16^th Patriot League title and first since 2023.
 
 
2026 Patriot League Men’s Tennis Major Awards
Player of the Year – Amar Tahirovic, Bucknell
Doubles Team of the Year – Amar Tahirovic and Brendan McDonald, Bucknell
Rookie of the Year – Aleksandar Daskalovic, Lehigh
Coaching Staff of the Year – Navy, Head Coach Chris Garner

Men’s Tennis First Team All-League
Jackson Armistead, Army West Point
Jimin Jung, Army West Point 
Amar Tahirovic, Bucknell
Alex Van Lumich, Lehigh
Herrick Legaspi, Navy
Charlie Spencer, Navy 
 
Men’s Tennis All-League Second Team*
Alan Ton, Army West Point 
Liam Kilmer, Bucknell
Ricky Espaillat, Lafayette
Matt Carlson, Holy Cross
Sean Jaeger, Lehigh
Petter Hagen, Loyola Maryland 
JJ Etterbeek, Navy 
*Additional members added due to tie in voting 
 
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.