FOREST, Va. -- Averett University men's tennis was voted as the second-ranked team in the 2026 Old Dominion Athletic Conference's preseason men's tennis poll, released on Thursday afternoon.

Washington and Lee University, conference tournament runners-up and preseason No. 33 nationally, received nine-first place votes and the number one ranking. Conference champions and No. 34 ranked Averett is in second with one first place vote. Virginia Wesleyan University and Shenandoah University, receiving votes in the national rankings are third and fourth. Randolph College garnered the last first-place vote, and fifth overall.

In 2024-25, Averett had its best season arguably this century, as it finished 17-5 (8-1 ODAC), and shocked Washington and Lee to win the ODAC tournament. The Cougars then won their first NCAA tournament match since the turn of the millennium, before bowing out to Emory in the second round. 

While some players graduated, the Cougars virtually return their entire starting lineup for 2026. In the mix is reigning ODAC co-rookie of the year and All-ODAC second team doubles selection in sophomore Florian Bert; second-team No. 3 doubles honoree and senior Alex Donnelly, sophomores Lucas Fiandra and Rafael Jodas, and senior Sam Egui. Reigning conference coach Bert Poole returns for his 11th season under the helm.

Like the women's tennis squad, the men's side heads to Newport News for two matches to open 2026 next weekend, Feb. 14-15. Averett takes on the Rochester Institute of Technology, before facing off versus hosts and No. 24 Christopher Newport University the following day.

 

2026 ODAC Preseason Men's Tennis Poll
Rank	Institution (1st Place Votes)	Pts.
1.	Washington and Lee (9)	99
2.	Averett^ (1)	88
3.	Virginia Wesleyan	78
4.	Shenandoah	75
5.	Randolph (1)	67
6.	Lynchburg	52
7.	Hampden-Sydney	47
8.	Guilford	36
9.	Roanoke	34
10.	Bridgewater	17
11.	Randolph-Macon	12
^Defending ODAC Champion