The Calvin University men's tennis team tied for second in the MIAA Preseason Poll released by the conference on Tuesday.
Calvin finished the poll, voted on by the coaches across the conference, with a total of 40 points and one first-place vote to tie with Hope College for second place. Kalamazoo College was the unanimous selection at the top of the poll with 49 total points and all seven possible first-place votes.
The Knights finished the 2024-25 tennis season with a 12-9 overall record and went 5-2 in MIAA contests, good for a third-place finish.
This season, under the direction of first-year head coach
George Rodriguez, Calvin is 0-1 in team play with its lone contest against NCAA II Davenport University.
Calvin returns 2025 All-MIAA First Team honoree
Rodrigo Alipio () at the top of the line-up. Alipio, a seven-time MIAA Men's Tennis Player of the Week, went 6-1 in league play last season and is 1-0 in singles play this season while also earning a three-set win in an exhibition match against Grand Valley State University in January.
The Knights also return
Caleb Bartels (Belton, Mo./), who earned All-MIAA Second Team honors as a freshman last season, in the number-two spot, as well as
Felipe Sartori (Estr. Basiléia/Colégio Giusto Zonzini), Mario Neto (Boa Vista, Brazil/Reino),
Tanner Warners (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) and
Emmanuel Henao (Medellin, Columbia/Escuela Normal Superior "La Merced") with experience coming into the season.
Calvin will return to action with a match at Ferris State University on Saturday, February 14, and will start MIAA play on March 28 against Hope College.
2025-26 MIAA Preseason Poll
- Kalamazoo College (49 points, 7 first-place votes)
- Calvin University (40, 1)
- Hope College (40)
- Trine University (27)
- Adrian College (24)
- Alma College (19)
- Albion College (18)
- The University of Olivet (7)
