Fresh off the first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history, the Valparaiso University men’s tennis team is expected to win the Horizon League again this season, based on voting from the league’s head coaches.

The preseason polls were released on Friday, as Valpo compiled 49 points and earned all seven possible first-place votes. Cleveland State received the remaining first-place vote, with coaches not allowed to vote for their own team. The Vikings amassed 35 points and are expected to finish second.

This marks the first time since joining the Horizon League the Crusaders were tabbed as the outright Horizon League preseason favorite. Last season they were the league co-favorites alongside Green Bay, which is picked tied for third with Northern Kentucky this year.

Horizon League women’s tennis preseason polls were also unveiled on Friday, with Valpo expected to finish ninth. Youngstown State is the preseason favorite with 72 points, narrowly ahead of UIC (70). Youngstown State and UIC each garnered four first-place votes.

The Crusaders women open the season on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Western Michigan, while the Valpo men are slated to begin the spring next week.

Men’s

1. Valparaiso, 49 (7)
2. Cleveland State, 35 (1)
3. Northern Kentucky, 31
4. Green Bay, 31
5. Youngstown State, 29
6. Detroit Mercy, 23
7. UIC, 18
8. Wright State, 8

Women’s

1. Youngstown State, 72 (4)
2. UIC, 70 (4)
3. Cleveland State, 68 (1)
4. Wright State, 61 (1)
5. Milwaukee, 51
6. Detroit Mercy, 38
7. Oakland, 34
8. Northern Kentucky, 30
9. Valparaiso, 17
10. Green Bay, 9