INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The 2024 Horizon League Men's Tennis Preseason Poll was released Thursday afternoon, with Cleveland State tabbed as the preseason favorites in the North Division, while also picking up a vote to be the overall champion. The preseason poll is voted on by the league's head coaches.
For the second season, men's tennis will be competing in a North and South Division during regular season play, with both divisions competing in the same #HLTennis Tournament at the end of the year.
This marks the 12th year that the Horizon League has released a preseason tennis poll, with Cleveland State now being selected as a top-two team 11 out of the 12 years.
The Vikings return 10 of 12 letterwinners from last season's team that earned a spot in the #HLTennis semifinals for the 17th straight season, including Horizon League honoree Mikael Erler.
Cleveland State is under the direction of head coach Brian Etzkin, who is in his 22nd year on the Cleveland State sidelines. Throughout his tenure, Etzkin has guided the Vikings to 300+ wins, eight Horizon League Tournament titles and eight NCAA Tournament appearances.
The Vikings will open the 2024 spring campaign next weekend when they host Binghamton (Friday, January 19) and travel to Penn State (Sunday, January 21), while the #HLTennis regular season slate will begin in March.
2024 Horizon League North Division Men's Tennis Preseason Poll
1.Cleveland State (3) – 22
2.Northern Kentucky (1) – 19
3.Youngstown State (1) – 18
4.IUPUI – 10
5.Chicago State – 6
2024 Horizon League South Division Men's Tennis Preseason Poll
1.Belmont (6) – 36
T2.Tennessee State – 27
T2.Tennessee Tech – 27
4.Lindenwood – 13
5.Southern Indiana – 12
6.Eastern Illinois – 11
Projected 2024 Horizon League Men's Tennis Champion
Belmont – 9
Cleveland State – 1
Tennessee Tech – 1
