FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) announced the 2026 MIAA Men’s Tennis Preseason Poll following a vote of the league’s eight head coaches.
Kalamazoo College was selected as the preseason favorite after collecting the most points and first-place votes, with Calvin University and Hope College tied closely behind as the league prepares for another competitive spring season.
1. Kalamazoo College – 49 points (7 first-place votes)
Kalamazoo was tabbed as the preseason favorite after earning 49 points and seven first-place votes.
The Hornets are coming off a dominant 2025 season that included a perfect 7-0 record in MIAA play to claim the regular-season title, followed by their sixth-consecutive MIAA Men’s Tennis Tournament championship. Kalamazoo also competed in the first round of the NCAA Division III Men’s Tennis Tournament and finished the year with a 15-6 overall record.
Kalamazoo returns two All-MIAA First Team selections in two-time All-MIAA honoree Alex Fleming, who went 7-0 against MIAA opponents at No. 2 singles, and Cameron Crosby, who earned First Team recognition as a freshman after posting a 7-0 record at No. 3 singles.
Head coach and Kalamazoo alum Mark Riley enters his 18th season at the helm of the Hornets program after being selected the 2025 MIAA Men’s Tennis Coach of the Year.
T2. Calvin University – 40 points (1 first-place vote)
Calvin tied-for-second in the preseason poll with 40 points after finishing the 2025 season with a 5-2 MIAA record and a 12-9 overall mark.
The Knights return junior Rodrigo Alipio, a 2025 All-MIAA First Team selection who posted a 6-1 record against conference opponents at No. 1 singles. Sophomore Caleb Bartels also returns after earning All-MIAA Second Team honors during his freshman campaign and finishing 5-2 in league play at No. 2 singles.
Calvin will feature new leadership this season, welcoming George Rodriguez in his first year as head coach after spending the last three seasons as the head women’s tennis coach at Division I George Washington University.
T2. Hope College – 40 points
Hope also tied-for-second in the poll with 40 points following a 6-1 finish in MIAA play during the 2025 season.
The Flying Dutchmen return a strong core of All-MIAA performers, led by junior Cooper Nugent, who earned First Team honors after posting a 5-2 record against league opponents at No. 1 singles. Junior Ned Curley also returns after earning All-MIAA Second Team recognition and recording a 5-2 mark at No. 2 singles in conference play. Two-time All-MIAA honoree Paul Schneider rounds out the group of returners after earning a Second Team nod in 2025 and finishing 6-1 against MIAA opponents at No. 3 singles.
4. Trine University – 27 points
Trine was picked fourth in the preseason poll with 27 points after finishing the 2025 season with a 4-3 MIAA record and an 11-11 overall mark.
The Thunder return sophomore Drew Hackney, who earned All-MIAA First Team honors during his first collegiate season after competing at No. 1 singles. Trine also brings back three-time All-MIAA honoree Andrew Spirrison, who enters his senior season after earning Second Team recognition in 2025.
5. Adrian College – 24 points
Adrian earned 24 points to place fifth in the preseason poll following a 3-4 finish in conference play and a 9-9 overall record in 2025.
The Bulldogs return junior Michael Mascarin, a 2025 All-MIAA Second Team selection who picked up three key victories at No. 1 singles against league opponents. Senior Luke Holowinski also returns after competing at No. 3 singles last season.
6. Alma College – 19 points
Alma was selected sixth with 19 points after finishing the 2025 season with a 2-5 MIAA record.
The Scots return senior Jake Lasceski, who competed in the No. 1 singles position last season. Junior Eli Festerling also returns after rotating between the No. 2 and No. 3 singles slots.
Alma will be led by a familiar face, as Brandon Ralston returns to his alma mater as head coach after spending the last three seasons at Olivet.
7. Albion College – 18 points
Albion placed seventh in the preseason poll with 18 points after a 1-6 conference campaign in 2025.
The Britons return senior Brendan Morrison, who competed at the No. 1 singles position last season. Sophomore Alex Beard also returns after competing at No. 2 singles during the 2025 campaign.
8. The University of Olivet – 7 points
Olivet rounded out the poll with seven points after finishing the 2025 season with a 0-7 MIAA record.
The Comets return junior Lucas Anderson, who competed at the No. 1 singles position last season.
Olivet will also feature new leadership this spring, welcoming Isabel Snyder as head coach after serving as the assistant and junior varsity boys’ and girls’ tennis coach at Marshall High School since 2020.
Up Ahead
The first day of conference competition is slated for March 28 with Kalamazoo hosting Olivet, Trine hosting Adrian, and Calvin hosting Hope. The 2026 MIAA Men’s Tennis Tournament will take place April 27 (first round), April 29 (semifinals), and May 1 (championship), with the NCAA Division III Men’s Tennis Tournament slated to begin May 8.