Bulls Picked to Defend MAC Title in Preseason Coaches Poll
1/7/2026 11:03:00 AM | Men's Tennis
BUFFALO, NY – Coming off a Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament championship in 2025, the University at Buffalo men's tennis team was picked as the favorite to defend their title in the 2026 preseason poll. The poll, voted on by the conference's six head coaches, was released by the league office on Wednesday morning.
Head coach Lee Nickell's squad garnered 25 points and a league-best five first place votes. Western Michigan received 21 points and one first place point, followed by Toledo, UIC, Northern Illinois and Ball State.
The Bulls were also a unanimous pick to capture the conference tournament championship. They return five players – Emiliano Jorquera, Clement Mainguy, Michael Malkin, Theodoros Mitsakos, Faiz Nasyam – while adding three newcomers to the roster.
Buffalo opens the spring season on Saturday, January 17 at Miami.
For all the latest on UB men's tennis, follow @UBmenstennis on Twitter/X and Instagram and like the UB Men's Tennis Facebook page.
Click here for information on the Bulls Championship Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
2026 MAC Men's Tennis Preseason Poll
1. Buffalo – 25 (5)
2. Western Michigan – 21 (1)
3. Toledo – 15)
4. UIC – 12
5. Northern Illinois – 11
6. Ball State – 6
Tournament Champions: Buffalo (5), Western Michigan (1)
Head coach Lee Nickell's squad garnered 25 points and a league-best five first place votes. Western Michigan received 21 points and one first place point, followed by Toledo, UIC, Northern Illinois and Ball State.
The Bulls were also a unanimous pick to capture the conference tournament championship. They return five players – Emiliano Jorquera, Clement Mainguy, Michael Malkin, Theodoros Mitsakos, Faiz Nasyam – while adding three newcomers to the roster.
Buffalo opens the spring season on Saturday, January 17 at Miami.
For all the latest on UB men's tennis, follow @UBmenstennis on Twitter/X and Instagram and like the UB Men's Tennis Facebook page.
Click here for information on the Bulls Championship Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
2026 MAC Men's Tennis Preseason Poll
1. Buffalo – 25 (5)
2. Western Michigan – 21 (1)
3. Toledo – 15)
4. UIC – 12
5. Northern Illinois – 11
6. Ball State – 6
Tournament Champions: Buffalo (5), Western Michigan (1)
Players Mentioned
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