The Big Sky Conference released its preseason men's tennis poll Tuesday as voted on by the league's coaches. The Vandals, led by first-year head coach Daniel Hangstefer, were selected to finish third.
 
The three-time Big Sky Conference champions totaled 72 points with two first-place votes, putting last season's Big Sky regular-season champs in third place. Northern Arizona was the leading vote-getter, receiving eight first-place votes and collecting 98 points. Montana checked in at second with 74 points; Southern Utah was fourth (68 points and two first-place votes) and Weber State fifth (68).
 
Idaho returns six letterwinners to a team that went 10-1 in conference play, won the 2018 Big Sky Conference title and advanced to its second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.  
 
"Can't wait to get the season started," Hangstefer said. "I think we have a good mix of solid returners and newcomers. The guys are hungry to prove themselves, and I think they are in a good position to get this season rolling."
 
Idaho men's tennis opens the 2019 dual season Jan 20th at the University of Oregon.

 

2019 Big Sky Preseason Coaches' Poll
Team	Points (1st-place votes)
1. Northern Arizona	98 (8)
2. Montana	74
3. Idaho	72 (2)
4. Southern Utah	69 (1)
5. Weber State	68
6. Portland State	58
7. Sacramento State	57
8. Montana State	38
9. Idaho State	36
10. Eastern Washington	25
11. Northern Colorado	10