BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell has been picked to finish third by league head coaches in the 2023 Big South Conference men's tennis preseason poll.
The Fighting Camels return eight of nine players from last season's squad that finished 16-6 overall, won the regular season title (7-0), posted a 12-match win streak, and reached the league title match.
Presbyterian (14-11, 4-3 in '21-22) received three first-place votes and a total of 32 points to earn the top spot in the 2023 poll. Defending Big South tournament champ Radford (14-8, 6-1), which defeated the Camels 4-3 in the title match, is second with one first-place vote and 27 points.
Campbell (25 points) and Gardner-Webb (19) also received one first-place vote and stand third and fourth, respectively, ahead of UNC Asheville (16) and Longwood (7).
Five all-conference honorees return from last year's squad.
Damien Nezar and
Pol Otin were named first-team all-conference in singles, while Nezar and
Benjamin Maes were a first-team doubles selection.
Tomas Balazi was chosen second-team all-conference in singles and joined on the doubles second team with playing partner
Leon Petko.
Under the direction of head coach
David Johnson, the Camels have reached the Big South final six times since 2014 and claimed the 2018 tournament title.
The Fighting Camels open the 2023 season next Thursday (Jan. 19) with a 3:30 p.m. first serve at North Carolina.
2023 Big South Conference Men's Tennis Preseason Poll (first place votes in parenthesis): 1. Presbyterian (3) 32 points, 2. Radford (1) 27,
3. Campbell (1) 25, 4. Gardner-Webb (1) 19, 5. UNC Asheville 16, 6. Longwood 7.
