SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Defending Summit League regular season champion Denver was selected to walk away with the regular season title, garnering 23 points and three first-place votes in the preseason coaches’ poll released Tuesday by league officials.
The Pioneers look to take home their eighth regular-season crown in nine years and took the top spot by one point over Drake for the second consecutive season. The Bulldogs, who are the defending tournament champions, were picked second with 22 points while earning two first-place votes.
Omaha, who received the remaining first place vote, totaled 16 points and was picked to finish third in the regular season. Illinois State (13) and North Dakota (11) took the fourth and fifth-place spots, respectively, while Oral Roberts (5) rounded out the rankings.
2024 SUMMIT LEAGUE MEN’S TENNIS PRESEASON POLL
|
Team |
Score (1st place votes) |
| 1. |
Denver |
23 (3) |
| 2. |
Drake |
22 (2) |
| 3. |
Omaha |
16 (1) |
| 4. |
Illinois State |
13 |
| 5. |
North Dakota |
11 |
| 6. |
Oral Roberts |
5 |
MEN’S TENNIS PRESEASON ATHLETES TO WATCH LIST
Daniel Sancho Arbizu, Denver
Jr. | Zaragoza, Spain
- Named Summit League Newcomer of the Year and All-League team after finishing season with 30-6 singles record including 18 wins in dual match play
- Played primarily at No. 2 singles with 12-3 record and added 5-1 record at No. 1 singles
- Led team in doubles victories (12) including winning records at No. 2 doubles (4-2) and No. 3 doubles (8-1)
Jeremy Schifris, Drake
Sr. | Munich, Germany
- Named All-Summit League honoree last season where he garnered an 8-11 record (6-11 at No. 1 singles, 2-0 at No. 2 spot)
- Went a combined 14-7 during doubles play
- Defeated ITA No. 1 ranked Stefan Dostanic of USC in fall 2022 competition
Quintan Van Wijk, Omaha
Jr. | Willemstad, Curacao
- Went 17-4 in singles last season and compiled an 11-5 ledger during the fall of 2023, including a win against off #116 ranked Graydon Lair from Michigan State
- Compiled a 3-2 singles play during league play and 12-11 overall in doubles play
Nam Pham, Illinois State
R-Sr. | Lenexa, Kan.
- Earned All-Summit League Honorable Mention honors as the No. 1 singles player for the Redbirds going 19-13 overall in singles action, including a 15-8 mark during the spring season
- Was 6-10 overall in doubles action, including three wins with partner Tomas Valencia
Victor Moreno Lozano, North Dakota
Gr. | Madrid, Spain
- Played four seasons at Nebraska where he finished with nearly 50 singles victories and 30 doubles wins over his career
- Eclipsed double-digit wins in three of his four campaigns on the singles side, including a 15-10 mark as a senior
- Four of those triumphs came against Big Ten foes, taking down Michigan State, Wisconsin, Penn State and Northwestern, while adding another 16 victories in doubles play
Gustavo Pinho, Oral Roberts
Sr. | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Posted a 3-15 singles record in 2023, playing primarily at the No. 1 spot and earned a pair of wins at the No. 3 position
- Went 2-3 in league play and 7-12 overall in doubles action
Note: Athletes to Watch nominated by the league's head coaches
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