Lehigh men picked third in Patriot League preseason poll
Posted: 01/20/2012
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - As the men’s tennis team gets sets to open its spring season at Penn State on January 28, the Patriot League released its preseason tennis poll on Friday. The Mountain Hawks were picked to finish third out of seven teams with 51 points behind Army and Navy, respectively. Army received 72 points and twelve first place votes while Navy received 59 points and two first-place votes. The poll is voted on by the league’s coaches and sports information directors.
The Mountain Hawks compiled a 15-7 record last season and advanced to the Patriot League Championship match for the first time in school history losing to Army, 4-2. The team will attempt to replace two of its top players from last season in Troy List and Collin Laffey. Among those who will be looked upon to pick up the slack are sophomore Mark Goldberg and junior Andrew Krentz who combined to go 30-8 in singles play. Goldberg was a perfect 6-0 in Patriot League competition and was a second team All-Patriot League pick after a strong freshman season. The team also returns seniors Ryan Krueger and Edgars Rauza, junior Matt Savran, and sophomore Timur Chernykh. Incoming freshmen Ben Gilman, Daniel Goldblum, and Mitchell Peterson will also be looked upon for contributions.
Bucknell, Colgate, Lafayette, and Holy Cross rounded out the seven teams in the preseason poll.
The team will open its season at Penn State on January 28 at 3 p.m. The squad returns home on February 4 to face Fairleigh Dickinson, which will be its first of eight straight matches in the Lewis Tennis Center.
2012 Patriot League Men’s Tennis Preseason Poll
1. Army- 72 points (12 first-place votes)
2. Navy- 59 points (2)
3. Lehigh- 51
4. Bucknell- 40
5. Colgate- 38
6. Lafayette- 22
7. Holy Cross- 12