LINFIELD UNIVERSITY MEN'S TENNIS • 2026 SPRING SEASON

MEET THE WILDCATS

ALEX ALANIZ

Freshman

Vancouver, Washington

Major is Undecided

ZAC NAKAJIMA

Senior

Beaverton, Oregon

Majoring in Management

Senior

Portland, Oregon

Majoring in Economics

Junior

McMinnville, Oregon

Majoring in Marketing

GAVIN OROZCO

Freshman

Bonney Lake, Washington

Majoring in Management

Junior

Salem, Oregon

Majoring in Computer Science

JOEY HENDERSON

Senior

New Braunfels, Texas

Majoring in Management

NICK OWENS

Junior

West Linn, Oregon

Majoring in Accounting

BROOKS LERFALD

Senior

Eugene, Oregon

Majoring in Finance

Junior

West Linn, Oregon

Majoring in Management

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK

Looking to climb the Northwest Conference standings in 2026, Linfield men’s tennis head coach Todd Mansfield is ready to raise the expectations for his Wildcats in his second season running the program.

“Last year we did our best. This year, that won’t do,” said Mansfield. “I have set this year’s goal to be making the playoffs, something we haven’t done in 16 years.”

The Wildcats are hunting for their first NWC Tournament appearance since 2009 and looking to surpass four dual-match wins in a season for the first time since 2019.

Linfield’s goals may be within reach. After a sixth-place finish last spring, the ’Cats roll out a veteran lineup that includes an influx of new talent as they attempt to crack the top-four of the conference standings.

The Wildcat lineup features returning seniors Brooks Lerfald and Alexander Rosenequist, as well as senior transfers Zac Nakajima, formerly of the University of Redlands, and Joey Henderson, by way of Whittier College.

Junior Cameron Paulsen figures to be a key contributor this spring as well, with the squad’s depth filled out by fellow juniors Nick Owens, Tommy Gabrielsen and Brandon Tran, as well as freshmen Alex Alaniz and Gavin Orozco.

“Zac Nakajima and Joey Henderson have made a huge difference in our overall attitude and education to getting better,” said Mansfield. “The confidence Cameron and Alexander

are displaying is off the charts. As for Brooks, the league may not recognize him this year.”

After a first team all-conference junior season, Lerfald looks to continue his strong play at the top of the Linfield lineup. He collected five wins playing No. 1 singles in 2025, including winning three of his four final matches, and led the team with eight wins in doubles.

Rosenquist aims to finish strong on a solid career as well after finishing second on the team in singles wins with six last year, in addition to picking up six wins in doubles.

Nakajima and Henderson will both slot into the top half of the lineup, with Nakajima expected to pair with Lerfald at No. 1 doubles, and Henderson likely teaming with Paulsen.

Paulsen looks to build on an impactful sophomore season in which he led Linfield with seven wins in singles, including a 3-3 record at No. 2, and was a part of seven doubles wins as well.

“I’m really excited about doubles,” said Mansfield. “Zac and Brooks look like one of the top three pairings in the league. Joey and Cameron are getting better every day just by playing against them.

“If we are able to grab the doubles point, I feel we have the skills to win three of six singles matches against any team in the league and grab the ‘W’. That is why I am so excited about this season.”