FREDERICKSBURG, Va. -- The Capital Athletic Conference announced the vote of league head coaches for men's tennis today, listing the Christopher Newport Captains second in the preseason poll. The University of Mary Washington snagged seven first-place votes to earn the designation as favorite, while the Captains picked up the remaining first-place vote.

CNU is ranked No. 33 in the preseason Oracle/ITA Division III Men's Tennis National Rankings after a 14-9 overall record last season. In the CAC Preseason Poll, the Captains collected 43 points while the Eagles garnered 49 as the unanimous favorites. Head coaches do not vote for their own team in the rankings. 

After CNU, the league picked Salisbury (37 poitns), Southern Virginia (30 points), and York (24 points) to round out the top five, followed by St. Mary's (21 points), Penn State Harrisburg (12 points), and Frostburg State (8 points).

This season, the Captains will look to replace a pair of All-Conference performers in Justin Cerny and David Reed, but return a strong contingent to the lineup including seniors Nicholas Ruzicka and William Trang. Dominic Lacombe and Andy Mason have also been starters their first two years and return for their junior campaigns. 

Rookie Mason Kolls had the strongest start to the year for the Captains, going 4-1 in singles and doubles action. Sophomore James Baron led the team with five wins in singles play after winning his flight at the ITA Southeast Regional Championship. 

CNU will open the dual schedule this weekend at home against Virginia Wesleyan University with match time set for 4:30 pm. 
 

2019 CAC Men's Tennis Preseason Poll

Rank	Institution	Points (First-Place Votes)
1.	Mary Washington	49 (7)
2.	Christopher Newport	43 (1)
3.	Salisbury	37
4.	Southern Virginia	30
5.	York	24
6.	St. Mary's	21
7.	Penn State Harrisburg	12
8.	Frostburg State	8