HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College men's tennis team is set to kick off the 2024 spring dual match season holding the 39th overall position in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) preseason Top 40 Coaches Poll, as announced in a release on Tuesday afternoon.
This places Haverford among the elite teams in the nation, with three Centennial Conference squads securing national rankings in the initial unveiling. Swarthmore claimed the 14th spot, while Johns Hopkins followed closely behind at No. 15 nationally.
In the 2023 campaign, Haverford showcased its prowess by reaching the Centennial Conference semifinals for the 12th consecutive season. This impressive streak, dating back to the 2011 campaign, highlights the consistency and competitiveness of the Fords in collegiate tennis. Although the team faced a setback in the semifinals, falling to Swarthmore, the resilience and skill displayed throughout the season were noteworthy as the Fords finished 12-8 overall, including a 5-3 mark in conference matchups.
The roster for the upcoming season boasts five returning All-Centennial Conference players. Among that group is first-teamer Stefan Johnson as well as second-teamers Andreas Wingert, James McKenzie, Adam Chow, and Justin Minerva. Marko Arboleda, a newcomer to the team, has already left his mark in his rookie season. His stellar fall campaign propelled him into the Atlantic South Regional Rankings, with the Chappaqua, N.Y. product securing the 19th spot in the initial singles rankings unveiled in mid-November.
The ITA DIII Coaches Poll is a result of voting by the ITA National Ranking Committee. Comprising the four ITA Region Chairs and one National Chair, the committee recognizes and acknowledges the achievements of Division III tennis programs.
The Fords are geared up for an exciting spring season, commencing on Saturday, February 24. They will face off against Christopher Newport at 10:30 a.m. and No. 32 Washington & Lee at 2:30 p.m. in Newport News, Virginia.