CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Two Fighting Illini men's tennis student-athletes earned Academic All-District honors from College Sports Communicators, the association announced on Tuesday.
Kenta Miyoshi collected CSC Academic All-District status for the third consecutive season, while Zach Viiala achieved the academic distinction for the second year in a row.
To be eligible for the award, a nominee must have a 3.50 GPA and be at least a sophomore academically and athletically. Nominees must also be a starter or an important reserve to the team and have been in the lineup for 75% of an institution's days of competition.
Miyoshi is on track to graduate this spring with a bachelor's degree in strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Viiala is pursuing a degree in finance.
In his senior season representing the Orange and Blue, Miyoshi posted a 26-11 singles record while registering 16 singles wins during dual play. A unanimous All-Big Ten First Team selection for the second straight season, the Japan native tallied 14 ranked singles victories and climbed as high as No. 6 in singles and No. 2 in doubles in the ITA rankings in 2025-26.
A native of Perth, Australia, Viiala finished his redshirt sophomore campaign with a 13-2 singles record after missing the fall due to injury. Going 11-2 in dual play and 7-1 against Big Ten opponents on the singles courts, Viiala also added a team-high 14 doubles wins this spring.
Illinois finished the 2025-26 season with a 24-8 record, advancing to the semifinals in the Big Ten Tournament while progressing to the NCAA Super Regional for the first time since 2021.
