Eastern Michigan Athletics
Tennis Ranks Eighth in 2026 MAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1/8/2026 11:00:00 AM | Tennis
The 2026 season gets underway for Eastern at home, Jan. 17, against Cleveland State
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) -- The Mid-American Conference announced its annual coaches' poll for the 2026 tennis season with conference's coaches voting Eastern Michigan University to finish eighth in the team standings, the league announce today, Jan. 8.
The Eagles accumulated 18 points to sit eighth in the nine-time league with the University of Toledo topping the list with 58 points and five first-place votes. The University at Buffalo was second with 53 points (two first place votes) while league newcomer University of Massachusetts enters their inaugural season third with 47 points (one FPV). Northern Illinois University, in its final season as a member of the MAC, was voted fourth with 44 points (1 FPV) while Ball State University rounded out the top five with 40 points for fifth place. The remaining teams in the poll included defending champion Miami University in sixth (35 points), Western Michigan University seventh (21), and Bowling Green State University ninth (eight).
The top four teams in the final regular season standings will advance to the MAC Tournament, which will be played April 25-26, in Oxford, Ohio. In a vote of the coaches, Toledo was selected as the favorite to win the tournament with five votes while Buffalo garnered three and UMass one. The RedHawks, who captured the 2025 tournament title, will host the event that will see the champion earn the MAC's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.
The 2026 season gets underway for the Eagles next week as they are set to play host to Cleveland State University in a 1 p.m. contest Saturday, Jan. 17, inside the Chippewa Club in Ypsilanti with free admission for all fans. The Eagles will also play a doubleheader on the road two days later when they venture to Big Rapids, Mich., to play two with Ferris State University. The Eagle and Bulldogs are slated to meet at 10 a.m. with the second match tentatively slated to start at 2 p.m.
2026 MAC Women's Tennis Preseason Coaches' Poll
(First-place votes)
1. Toledo • 58 points (5)
2. Buffalo • 53 points (2)
3. Massachusetts • 47 points (1)
4. Northern Illinois • 44 points (1)
5. Ball State • 40 points
6. Miami • 35 points
7. Western Michigan • 21 points
8. Eastern Michigan • 18 points
9. Bowling Green • 8 points
MAC Tournament Champion: Toledo (5), Buffalo (3), Massachusetts (1)
The Eagles accumulated 18 points to sit eighth in the nine-time league with the University of Toledo topping the list with 58 points and five first-place votes. The University at Buffalo was second with 53 points (two first place votes) while league newcomer University of Massachusetts enters their inaugural season third with 47 points (one FPV). Northern Illinois University, in its final season as a member of the MAC, was voted fourth with 44 points (1 FPV) while Ball State University rounded out the top five with 40 points for fifth place. The remaining teams in the poll included defending champion Miami University in sixth (35 points), Western Michigan University seventh (21), and Bowling Green State University ninth (eight).
The top four teams in the final regular season standings will advance to the MAC Tournament, which will be played April 25-26, in Oxford, Ohio. In a vote of the coaches, Toledo was selected as the favorite to win the tournament with five votes while Buffalo garnered three and UMass one. The RedHawks, who captured the 2025 tournament title, will host the event that will see the champion earn the MAC's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.
The 2026 season gets underway for the Eagles next week as they are set to play host to Cleveland State University in a 1 p.m. contest Saturday, Jan. 17, inside the Chippewa Club in Ypsilanti with free admission for all fans. The Eagles will also play a doubleheader on the road two days later when they venture to Big Rapids, Mich., to play two with Ferris State University. The Eagle and Bulldogs are slated to meet at 10 a.m. with the second match tentatively slated to start at 2 p.m.
2026 MAC Women's Tennis Preseason Coaches' Poll
(First-place votes)
1. Toledo • 58 points (5)
2. Buffalo • 53 points (2)
3. Massachusetts • 47 points (1)
4. Northern Illinois • 44 points (1)
5. Ball State • 40 points
6. Miami • 35 points
7. Western Michigan • 21 points
8. Eastern Michigan • 18 points
9. Bowling Green • 8 points
MAC Tournament Champion: Toledo (5), Buffalo (3), Massachusetts (1)
Thank You from EMU Football!
Monday, December 01
Giving Tuesday 2025 - EMU Tennis
Monday, December 01
Tennis Senior Day Highlights 2025 vs. BGSU
Sunday, April 13
Tennis Recap vs. NIU
Saturday, April 12