After winning the Mid-American Conference tournament last season, the Ball State men's tennis team has been named the preseason favorite in the MAC this season, according to the conference office Tuesday.
The Cardinals welcome back ten letterwinners from last season, including junior first-team All-MAC selection Dalton Albertin.
Albertin received the honor last season after leading the team with a 22-17 singles record. In addition to Albertin, the Cardinals bring back the Most Outstanding Player of the MAC Tournament, senior Cliff Morrison, and All-MAC Tournament selection Austin Sansone. Morrison, however, will not play this season due to complications in his legs.
"We return most of our team from last year's Tournament Championship team so I am sure that was a big factor in being picked as favorites," coach Bill Richards said in a press release. "I think there are five teams in the league that can all beat each other so it will be a challenging conference season."
Ball State will take on non-conference opponent Xavier Saturday in Cincinnati, Ohio. First serve is at 1 p.m.
2012 MAC Men's Tennis Preseason Poll
1. Ball State (28)
2. Western Michigan (25)
3. Buffalo (22)
4. Northern Illinois (13)
5. Toledo (12)
6. Chicago State (5)
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