The preseason coaches' poll for Big Sky men's tennis released today (Jan. 10) and Eastern Washington men's tennis is selected to finish ninth.
Eastern received nine points and is five behind Portland State for the eighth-spot.
Idaho was selected to win the conference, garnering eight-of-nine first place votes after winning the conference championship last season. Northern Arizona grabbed the other first place vote and is tied for second in the poll with Sacramento State, who each earned 53 points.
In the 2021-22 season, the Eagles were 2-16 and 0-8 in Big Sky matches.
Head coach
Jared Burnham will begin his fourth season leading Eastern.
Burnham will bring back five players from last season's team and adds two freshmen.
Junior
Bruno Ortega returns for the Eagles as the lone upperclassman. The roster includes four sophomores with
Drew Dillon,
Steven Paz,
Erik Sarlvik and
Brady Thomas.
Tyler Dalos arrives in Cheney from Boise, Idaho and
Caden Kammerer from Longmont, Colo.
Oretaga was 1-2 in doubles play last season. Dillon had a 3-9 record in singles matches and was 1-6 against Big Sky opponents, while holding a 5-8 doubles record. Paz had a 2-12 singles record, 1-6 in Big Sky matches and went 3-7 in doubles. Sarlvik finished his freshman season with a 5-10 singles record, going 1-6 in Big Sky matches. He was 3-12 in doubles competition.
Eastern was on the court for three competitions in the fall of 2022, competing at the Dar Walters Classic, the ITA Fall Regionals and the Gonzaga Invite.
At the ITA Fall Regionals in Spokane, Sarlvik, Dillon and Paz won singles matches. Paz would then team up with Ortega to grab a doubles win during the competition.
Eastern will begin its 2023 spring schedule on Jan. 18 when they head up to play Gonzaga at 2 p.m. Pacific Time.
2022 Big Sky Men's Tennis Preseason Coaches' Poll
1: Idaho (8) – 64
T2: Northern Arizona (1) – 53
T2: Sacramento State – 53
4: Montana – 40
5: Idaho State – 33
6: Weber State – 30
7: Montana State – 28
8: Portland State – 14
9: Eastern Washington – 9
