BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – The Concord University men's tennis team has been tabbed to finish sixth in the Mountain East Conference, according to a vote of the league's preseason coaches' poll.
Three-time defending champion West Virginia Wesleyan grabbed seven of eight first-place votes and 49 total points to top the poll. Charleston earned the other first-place vote and 42 points. West Liberty (38 points) and Fairmont State (30) were slotted third and fourth. Shepherd and its 23 points completed the top five.
Concord (16), UVa.-Wise (14) and West Virginia State (11) rounded out the poll.
The Mountain Lions return five players from last year's team that went 3-4 in the MEC and earned a spot in the conference tournament in early May.
The returners are highlighted by sophomore
Adam Katona who spent much of the season playing from number one singles. Senior
Alfonso Jimenez who bumped down to number two singles last season also returns for head coach
Joe Blankenship.
Sophomore
Luis Soares had a strong freshman campaign playing out of number four singles while senior
Javier Lietor was stellar from his number five singles position. Also returning for CU is junior
Adam Tolliver.
Concord begins its season at Virginia State March 17 and its first home match is March 31 against West Liberty.
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