NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Head coach
Eric Christiansen has announced the team captains for the 2026-27 season as
Rainer Christiansen and
Gabe Smith have been elevated to the role after serving as junior captains last season. Additionally,
Jamison Wallace was named a junior captain.
"We are excited to have Gabe and Rainer lead our program his year," said
Eric Christiansen, Director of Tennis at Christopher Newport. "After serving as junior captains last season, they had the opportunity to learn firsthand from the outstanding leadership and example set by
Alex Seretis and
Vincent Truong."
Christiansen is a first team All-Conference star in doubles and a second team All-Conference player in singles. He piled up 33 doubles wins over his first two years. Smith was the 2025 Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year and earned first team All-Conference honors in singles and second team plaudits in doubles. He has earned 27 singles wins in his first two years.
"Both Gabe and Rainer are team-first individuals who embody so many of the character traits we value in our players. They lead by example as fearless competitors on the court, demonstrate the discipline and commitment necessary for continued development, and understand the important of unity and a shared sense of direction that is necessary to achieve at the national level.
Wallace finished his first season with a 7-3 record in singles and a 4-4 mark in doubles action. He reached the B2 Draw at the ITA Southeast Regionals and won the B3 singles championship as a sophomore.
"Jamison has demonstrated natural leadership qualities since the day he arrived on campus and I look forward to seeing him work alongside Gabe and Rainer as they continue to strengthen our team culture and move the program forward."
"I have tremendous confidence in these three young men and their ability to lead by example, hold themselves and their teammates to high standards, and help our program continue to pursue excellence both on and off the court."
Christopher Newport is scheduled to open the 2026 spring season on Saturday, February 13 against Kenyon College at 2:00 p.m. It will be the first of 18 regular season matches including nine home bouts.
