Academically, Mikus Losbergs was a four-time Big Sky all-academic selection, a three-time ITA Scholar-Athlete award winner and graduated from Sacramento State with a communication studies degree in spring 2019. Image courtesy of Sacramento State Athletics

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) -  Mikus Losbergs, a big part of the program as both a player and assistant coach, has been elevated to head men's tennis coach, athletics director Mark Orr said Aug. 27.

Losbergs will take over for Kevin Kurtz, who recently retired after eight seasons as head coach.

Losbergs has been on campus, either as a player or assistant coach, each of the last 10 years. That includes four highly successful seasons as a player for the Hornets (2015-19), followed by six years as an assistant coach (2019 to 2025).

"We are thrilled to see Mikus take the next step in his journey with Sacramento State as the head men's tennis coach," Orr said. "As a former standout player and dedicated assistant coach, Mikus embodies the values of our program: hard work, passion and a commitment to excellence both on and off the court. His deep connection to the Hornet family makes him the ideal leader to guide our student-athletes and continue the proud tradition of Sacramento State men's tennis." 

As assistant coach, Losbergs had an array of duties with the program, including recruiting, on-court coaching, scheduling, travel, budget and equipment.

A Marupe, Latvia native, Losbergs helped Sacramento State better its record each of the first five seasons of his coaching tenure. That included a 2024 season in which Losbergs helped guide the team to a 17-7 overall record, 7-1 conference mark, Big Sky regular season and tournament crowns, and an NCAA Tournament appearance. That magical season also saw the team post a seven-match winning streak (longest since 2010) and an eight-match winning streak versus Big Sky opposition (longest since 2011). A program-record six Hornets were named all-Big Sky, including conference MVP Mark Keki.

"First, I want to thank Mark Orr for giving me this incredible opportunity," Losbergs said. "I'm truly honored and it's a great privilege to be part of a university with such a rich athletic history. I'm energized by the chance to lead a group of talented and dedicated student-athletes who are hungry to grow, compete and succeed.

"This role is more than just a coaching position; it's an opportunity to build something special. My vision is to create a culture rooted in hard work, accountability and relentless pursuit of excellence, both on and off the court. We'll focus on developing not only strong tennis players but strong young men who represent Sac State with pride in everything they do. I can't wait to get started and bring new energy and vision to this program."

In 2023, Losbergs helped the Hornets finish 12-7 overall, 5-2 in the Big Sky Conference and 9-1 at home. Sacramento State was the No. 2 seed at the Big Sky Tournament, had a pair of winning streaks at least four matches long, won its first nine home matches of the season and won the doubles point in 13 of the team's 19 matches.

Losbergs had a major hand in Sacramento State's recruiting class being ranked ninth in the nation among all mid-major institutions in 2020. One of those recruits, Keki, became the first player in program history to be named first team all-Big Sky in both singles and doubles play during all four seasons of his career.

As a player, Losbergs was a four-time all-Big Sky Conference selection, including twice named to the first team (2017, 2019), and twice named to the second team (2016, 2018). He became the first Sacramento State player to receive all-league recognition four times since Kiryl Harbatsiuk accomplished the feat from 2008 to 2011.

Losbergs finished his career 47-39 in dual singles play and 29-14 in Big Sky matches. He played at No. 1 in the team's singles lineup in all but one of those contests. In addition, Losbergs posted a 49-33 record in dual doubles play to go along with a 28-12 league mark with each of those matches coming at the No. 1 spot in the lineup. At one point during the 2015-16 season, Losbergs and partner Kasparas Zemaitelis were ranked as the 30th-best doubles team in the nation.

Academically, Losbergs was a four-time Big Sky all-academic selection, a three-time ITA Scholar-Athlete award winner, and graduated from Sacramento State with a communication studies degree in spring 2019.