GRINNELL, Iowa – The twenty-five-time Midwest Conference (MWC) men's tennis champions Grinnell College topped the 2024 preseason coaches' poll, announced Wednesday morning. Illinois College was picked to finish sixth.
Winners of the last 18 MWC championship crowns, the Pioneers received 36 total points and six first-place votes to secure the top spot. Grinnell also heads into the season with an Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) national preseason ranking 36th in NCAA Division III.
Lake Forest College claimed second place with 31 points and the remaining first-place vote. The Foresters closed out last year's team standings in second place and finished runner-up in the team tournament.
Cornell College finished third earning 26 points, ahead of Lawrence University in fourth with 18 points and Ripon College with 17 points for fifth place.
The Blueboys and Monmouth College round out the poll with 13 and 6 points, respectively.
The regular season opens with four of the seven teams in non-conference action this upcoming Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
MWC play begins with Lawrence facing off against Ripon on Saturday, March 30.
The 2024 Midwest Conference Men's Tennis Team Tournament will be held Friday, April 26, at the Nielsen Tennis Center in Madison, Wisconsin. The single elimination tournament will feature the top-four league teams competing for the tournament title and the automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament. All seven league teams will participate in the MWC Men's Tennis Individual Singles and Doubles Tournament on Saturday, April 27, and Sunday, April 28, at the Nielsen Tennis Center.
2024 Midwest Conference Men's Tennis Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Grinnell College (6) – 36 points
2. Lake Forest College (1) – 31 points
3. Cornell College – 26 points
4. Lawrence University – 18 points
5. Ripon College – 17 points
6. Illinois College – 13 points
7. Monmouth College – 6 points
