Photo by: Bonnie Ryan
Men's Tennis Picked Third in Preseason Poll as Korkunov Named Player to Watch
Jan 15, 2025 | Men's Tennis
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Summit League announced its annual preseason rankings today with the Omaha men's tennis team picked third. Also released was the list of players to watch, with Omaha's Mikhail Korkunov being among those recognized.
Denver was the top ranked team in the poll, followed by North Dakota and then Omaha. Last year, the Mavericks went 1-4 in head-to-head match-ups in league play, recording their lone win against Oral Roberts 5-2. That said, they also had many close losses, falling 4-3 to Illinois State, North Dakota, and Drake. Omaha also went 12-11 overall, featuring wins over Air Force (5-2), Gonzaga (4-3), Marquette (7-0), and Creighton (4-3).
Back for his senior season, Korkunov won eight singles matches and 11 doubles matches last year. He picked up his final singles win of the season over UND's Victor Moreno Lozano (7-5, 6-4), while with along with partner Bryan Kuntz ended doubles play with three straight wins against Oral Roberts, Denver, and Drake to close out 2023-24.
In the 2024 ITA Division I Central Regional Championship, Korkunov won one singles match against Alejandro Jacome from Wichita State (6-3, 6-4), before coming up just short in his doubles match against Oklahoma 9-8 (7-5).
The 2025 spring season officially begins this Thursday at 5 p.m. at Oklahoma.
Denver was the top ranked team in the poll, followed by North Dakota and then Omaha. Last year, the Mavericks went 1-4 in head-to-head match-ups in league play, recording their lone win against Oral Roberts 5-2. That said, they also had many close losses, falling 4-3 to Illinois State, North Dakota, and Drake. Omaha also went 12-11 overall, featuring wins over Air Force (5-2), Gonzaga (4-3), Marquette (7-0), and Creighton (4-3).
Back for his senior season, Korkunov won eight singles matches and 11 doubles matches last year. He picked up his final singles win of the season over UND's Victor Moreno Lozano (7-5, 6-4), while with along with partner Bryan Kuntz ended doubles play with three straight wins against Oral Roberts, Denver, and Drake to close out 2023-24.
In the 2024 ITA Division I Central Regional Championship, Korkunov won one singles match against Alejandro Jacome from Wichita State (6-3, 6-4), before coming up just short in his doubles match against Oklahoma 9-8 (7-5).
The 2025 spring season officially begins this Thursday at 5 p.m. at Oklahoma.
2025 SUMMIT LEAGUE MEN'S TENNIS PRESEASON POLL
|
Team |
Score (1st place votes) |
|
|
1. |
Denver |
25 (5) |
|
2. |
North Dakota |
21 (1) |
|
3. |
Omaha |
15 |
|
4. |
Illinois State |
14 |
|
5. |
Drake |
10 |
|
6. |
Oral Roberts |
5 |
MEN'S TENNIS PRESEASON ATHLETES TO WATCH LIST
Note: Athletes to Watch nominated by the league's head coaches
Daniel Sancho Arbizu, Denver
Sr. | Zaragoza, Spain
Leandro Zgraggen, North Dakota
Sr. | Wollerau, Switzerland
Mikhail Korkunov, Omaha
Sr. | Gelendzhik, Russia
Ben Johnson, Drake
So. | Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
Ricardo Filho, Oral Roberts
Jr. | Uba, Brazil
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
Monday, October 05
Tuesday, September 01
Wednesday, August 26
Friday, August 21
