INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The 2023 Horizon League Men's Tennis Preseason Poll was released Thursday afternoon, with Cleveland State tabbed as the preseason favorites in the North Division, while being selected second in the overall poll. The preseason poll is voted on by the league's head coaches.
For the first time, men's tennis will compete in a North and South Division following the partnership with the Ohio Valley Conference that was announced back in July. With this partnership, Horizon League men's tennis welcomed Belmont, Eastern Illinois, Lindenwood, Southern Indiana, Tennessee State, and Tennessee Tech, while also adding Chicago State.
This marks the 11th year that the Horizon League has released a preseason tennis poll, with Cleveland State now being selected as a top-two team 10 out of the 11 years.
The Vikings return six of eight letterwinners from last season's team that earned a spot in the #HLTennis semifinals for the 16th straight season, including Horizon League honorees Mikael Erler, Maxime Mareschal-Hay and Kade Mindry
Cleveland State is under the direction of head coach Brian Etzkin, who is in his 21st year on the Cleveland State sidelines owning a 290-201 career dual match record. Throughout his tenure, Etzkin has guided the Vikings to eight Horizon League Tournament titles – the second most titles by a single school in Horizon League history.
The Vikings will open the 2023 spring campaign with a trio of matches next weekend, traveling to preseason #2 Ohio State (January 19), Purdue (January 20) and preseason #5 Michigan (January 22). The #HLTennis regular season slate will begin in late March.
2023 Horizon League Men's Tennis Preseason Poll
1.Belmont (7)
2.Cleveland State (2)
3.Tennessee Tech (1)
4.Youngstown State (1)
2023 Horizon League Men's Tennis Preseason Poll – North Division
1.Cleveland State (3) – 23
2.Youngstown State (2) – 20
T3.Northern Kentucky – 12
T3.IUPUI – 12
5.Chicago State – 8
2023 Horizon League Men's Tennis Preseason Poll – South Division
1.Belmont (5) – 35
2.Tennessee Tech (1) – 30
3.Tennessee State – 23
4.Eastern Illinois – 17
5.Southern Indiana – 11
6.Lindenwood – 9
