FOREST, Va.- The Old Dominion Athletic Conference released its Coaches Poll in Men's Tennis on Thursday afternoon. The WildCats were picked fifth among 11 teams with a total of 67 points. The team also received one first place vote.

Washington and Lee was selected first with 121 points and 11 first place votes. Defending ODAC champion Averett is second with 111 points and one first place vote. Virginia Wesleyan follows in third place with 79 points. The rest of the poll can be viewed below.

Randolph went to new heights last season as the WildCats advanced to the ODAC semifinals for the first time in program history. This year's team returns the majority of its starting lineup as the 'Cats look to make the next step.

At the top of the lineup is Jacob Martin and Andreas Mulner. The pair were named to the ODAC First Team last year becoming the first duo in team history to do. Martin and Mulner have continued their strong play into the fall season as the duo has gone 5-2. At the ITA Regionals back in October, the pair scored victories over doubles teams from Mary Washington and fifth seeded Christopher Newport to advance to the Round of 32. The twosome narrowly lost to a Johns Hopkins team 8-7 that were eventual National Champions. Individually, they have both won four matches in singles play.

"I feel really good about this group," said Mulner. "We're an older and more mature team compared to last year and that shows in how we practice and compete. The guys know what to expect and everyone will need to do their part. We trust each other and are committed to getting better every day."

Vincenzo Marchese is back for his sophomore season. A year ago, he won 13 matches playing at third singles including a clinching win against Washington College. This fall, paired with Carlos Haupt, the two advanced to the B1 semifinals at ITA Regionals. Haupt has had a strong start to his singles season as he went 3-0 in the fall.

Jason Duval is another returning player that has been a solid contributor to the team. Duval was 9-9 in singles play last year with one of his biggest wins coming as the clinching match at sixth singles against Guilford which marked the program's first ever victory over the Quakers.

The WildCats are bolstered this season by the addition of Aksel Tinnes-Rimehaug who went 3-1 in singles play this past fall. Joining the team this spring is Tom Laflamme.

"One of our biggest strengths is our experience and maturity," noted Mulner. "We have players who have been through ODAC matches before and understand how challenging they can be. Our depth in the lineup is another strength, along with strong doubles play and good team chemistry."

Randolph notched its first ODAC win of the season in October as it defeated Randolph-Macon for its first ever victory in Ashland. The WildCats start the spring season with ODAC matches against Roanoke and Bridgewater. The team is hopeful that their strong start will propel them early in the season with a mix of conference matches and some tough non-conference matchups.

"Our goal is to finish in the top four of the ODAC and give ourselves a chance to make the conference final, said Mulner. "We believe we can compete with any team in the conference and we're focused on staying consistent throughout the season and playing out best tennis when it matters most."

"We've got a special group this year and they know it," said head Sam Martinez. "They can sense where we've been the last few years and how it's come together now in a way where if we keep growing and trusting each other, anything is possible. I'm happy we've been picked fifth because that's going to give us a chip on our shoulder the entire year. We've got two great captains in Jason and Andreas who know how to lead by example and how to make sure the group is ready for this challenging schedule we have. We've added two strong first years in Aksel and Tom who will be big contributors to an older group. To start off with two ODAC matches in Roanoke and Bridgewater will be great tests to see where we're at after having to deal with this prolonged winter. We're lucky to have two #1's at the top in Jacob and Andreas, both of whom can beat anyone on our schedule if they keep improving. Having those two makes the entire group feel like we can beat anyone and they should feel that way. Cannot wait to get started. Let's go 'Cats."

 

2026 ODAC MEN'S TENNIS COACHES POLL
(#) denotes first place votes received

1. Washington and Lee University (9)	99 pts.
2. Averett University (1)	88 pts.
3. Virginia Wesleyan University	78 pts.
4. Shenandoah University	75 pts.
5. Randolph College (1)	67 pts.
6. University of Lynchburg	52 pts.
7. Hampden-Sydney College	47 pts.
8. Guilford College	36 pts.
9. Roanoke College	34 pts.
10. Bridgewater College	17 pts.
11. Randolph-Macon College	17 pts