Matt Hulme and the Mavericks were picked third in the Summit League Men's Tennis Preseason Poll.
Photo by: Mark Kuhlmann
Mavericks Picked Third in Summit League Preseason Poll
Jan 13, 2021 | Men's Tennis
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Omaha men's tennis team has been picked to finish third in the Summit League this season, the league office announced on Wednesday.
"Although we are excited to receive the third spot in this competitive conference, as a team we don't put too much weight into preseason polls," said head coach Matthew Barlow. "Anything can happen in our league, and I anticipate there will be some really close matches this year. Our team has some conference goals set and we are looking forward to starting the season to prepare for the Summit League slate in the upcoming weeks."
Senior Matt Hulme was selected to the Summit League Men's Tennis Preseason Athletes to Watch List for the second consecutive season. Hulme was the lone Summit League athlete ranked in the final ITA rankings in the fall last season and was a member of the first doubles in program history to appear in the ITA rankings.
Denver was selected as the league's favorite after collecting five first-place votes and 25 points. Drake finished second with 21 points and one first-place vote.
The Mavericks tallied 14 points while Illinois State and Oral Roberts tied for fourth with 11 points. North Dakota rounded out the poll with eight points.
Omaha begins the 2021 season on Friday, Jan. 15 at Arkansas.
2021 Summit League Men's Tennis Preseason Poll
Team - Points (First-Place votes)
1. Denver - 25 (5)
2. Drake - 21 (1)
3. Omaha - 14
T-4. Illinois State - 11
T-4. Oral Roberts - 11
6. North Dakota - 8
Men's Tennis Preseason Athletes to Watch List
Matt Summers | Denver | Senior
Oliver Johansson | Drake | Sophomore
Matt Hulme | Omaha | Senior
Min-Chieh Chiu | Illinois State | Freshman
Johnatan Parat | North Dakota | Senior
Volodymyr Zakharov | Oral Roberts | Freshman
"Although we are excited to receive the third spot in this competitive conference, as a team we don't put too much weight into preseason polls," said head coach Matthew Barlow. "Anything can happen in our league, and I anticipate there will be some really close matches this year. Our team has some conference goals set and we are looking forward to starting the season to prepare for the Summit League slate in the upcoming weeks."
Senior Matt Hulme was selected to the Summit League Men's Tennis Preseason Athletes to Watch List for the second consecutive season. Hulme was the lone Summit League athlete ranked in the final ITA rankings in the fall last season and was a member of the first doubles in program history to appear in the ITA rankings.
Denver was selected as the league's favorite after collecting five first-place votes and 25 points. Drake finished second with 21 points and one first-place vote.
The Mavericks tallied 14 points while Illinois State and Oral Roberts tied for fourth with 11 points. North Dakota rounded out the poll with eight points.
Omaha begins the 2021 season on Friday, Jan. 15 at Arkansas.
2021 Summit League Men's Tennis Preseason Poll
Team - Points (First-Place votes)
1. Denver - 25 (5)
2. Drake - 21 (1)
3. Omaha - 14
T-4. Illinois State - 11
T-4. Oral Roberts - 11
6. North Dakota - 8
Men's Tennis Preseason Athletes to Watch List
Matt Summers | Denver | Senior
Oliver Johansson | Drake | Sophomore
Matt Hulme | Omaha | Senior
Min-Chieh Chiu | Illinois State | Freshman
Johnatan Parat | North Dakota | Senior
Volodymyr Zakharov | Oral Roberts | Freshman
Players Mentioned
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