FARMINGTON, Utah — With 2024 right around the corner the Big Sky conference has released its preseason coaches' poll for men's and women's tennis. Eastern Washington was picked to finish ninth in both polls. 

The women's team received 10 points, while the men received eight. Northern Arizona are predicted to win both the men's and women's title. 

Eastern's women went 3-5 in the Big Sky last season and 4-12 overall, finishing seventh in the conference. EWU won two of its final four matches, including knocking off eventual Big Sky champions, Weber State, 4-3 at home.

Head coach Dustin Hinson enters his 12th season leading Eastern and returns six players from last season, with two newcomers joining the squad. Among the returners include 2023 Big Sky singles second team selection Kenzington Mann and 2022 singles second team selection Scout Mathews. 

This past fall, EWU hosted the Eagle Invitational and competed at both the ITA Northwest Regional and Gonzaga Invite. Mathews and Isabella Foshee claimed a title at the home tournament, delivering a win in the doubles bracket on their home court. 

The Eagle men were 4-13 overall last season and 0-7 in the Big Sky to finish ninth in conference standings. Eastern head coach Jared Burnham begins his fifth season at helm, returning five players from last season, while adding two newcomers.  

During the fall schedule, Eastern participated in the ITA Regionals, General Patton Invite and Gonzaga Invite. At the General Patton Invite in Boise, Idaho, the two Eagle newcomers, Tyler Waddock and Arshjot Bhatti, advanced to the doubles finals. Drew Dillon and Erik Sarlvik won the consolation bracket finals in doubles as well. 

2024 Big Sky Women's Tennis Preseason Poll
1. Northern Arizona (2) – 58
2. Sacramento State (4) – 57
3. Weber State (3) – 56
4. Montana State – 36
5. Montana – 31
6. Idaho State – 29
7. Idaho – 24
8. Portland State – 23
9. Eastern Washington – 10

2024 Big Sky Men's Tennis Preseason Poll
1. Northern Arizona (6) – 62
2. Sacramento State (3) – 59
3. Idaho State – 45
4. Idaho – 40
T5. Montana – 35
T5. Weber State – 35
7. Montana State – 21
8. Portland State – 19
9. Eastern Washington – 8
 
* - First-Place Votes in Parentheses
 

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ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.

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