Bermuda’s Daniel Phillips and his Tulane University teammate Lance Nisbet have officially cemented their place among the elite of collegiate tennis, finishing the season at Number 45 in the final Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division One National Doubles Rankings.
The achievement caps off a sensational campaign for the dynamic pairing, who established themselves as one of the most formidable and tactically astute doubles partnerships in the highly competitive American Athletic Conference (AAC).
Operating from the prestigious number one slot for the Green Wave, Phillips and Nisbet put together a formidable nine-and-six record on the courts. Their path to the top 50 was defined by a series of sensational giant-killing performances against some of the heavyweights of the American collegiate system.
Among the highlights of their campaign were marquee victories over top-tier opponents, including a thrilling triumph against the then-nationally ranked Number 21 Louisiana State University (LSU). The tandem also showcased their elite chemistry with high-stakes wins over Number 11 Arizona State and a gritty performance against Number 63 Liberty.
Their consistency at the top of the lineup was further highlighted during a critical conference clash against the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where they cruised to a six-three victory to anchor a vital team win.
The duo's outstanding season did not go unnoticed by league officials. Just weeks before the final national rankings were solidified, the AAC named both Phillips and Nisbet to the prestigious 2026 All-Conference Doubles Team.
It proved to be a doubly historic period for the Bermudian star, as Phillips also scooped individual honors after being named to the All-Conference Singles team, following a robust sixteen-and-eleven record at the top flight.
The postseason accolades marked the first time in seven years that Tulane’s men's tennis program has advanced multiple players onto the coveted all-conference list. With a top 50 national ranking officially locked in to conclude the season, the baseline power of Phillips and the clinical net play of Nisbet have firmly put the rest of the collegiate circuit on notice for the year ahead.
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