Montana, Northern Arizona Men Top #BigSkyTennis Preseason Poll
FARMINGTON, Utah (January 7, 2021) – Montana and Northern Arizona topped the 2021 Big Sky Men’s Tennis Preseason Poll as voted on by the league’s head coaches. Coaches could not vote for their team.
Montana posted an 8-3 record during the COVID-shortened season in 2020. The Griz return four of their top players that helped record a 2-0 mark in Big Sky play before the season was cancelled. Fourth-year coach Jason Brown welcomes back a total of six letterwinners for the 2021 campaign.
“It’s a huge honor that the coaches in the Big Sky Conference think Montana has potential to be competitive, but the last time we had a full regular season and conference tournament Northern Arizona won both easily and we lost in the first round,” Brown said. “Maciej’s (Bogusz) squad in Flagstaff is clearly the most talented group and the team to try to beat.”
Northern Arizona swept the 2019 regular season and tournament titles to advance to the NCAA Tournament. The Lumberjacks posted a 6-7 overall mark and 1-1 record in league action in 2020. Named the 2019 Big Sky Coach of the Year, Bogusz welcomes back seven letterwinners and his entire starting lineup from a season ago.
“It’s great to be picked first by other conference coaches,” Bogusz said. “We are looking forward to being the best we can be on and off the court this season. Since we haven’t competed in almost a year I don’t think rankings and ratings will play a major role especially this season. It’s time to get to work.”
Montana and Northern Arizona each totaled 58 points in the poll with the Griz receiving four first-place votes and NAU tallying three.
Weber State was picked third by the coaches with 49 points. The Wildcats went 8-7 overall and 3-1 in Big Sky action in 2020 as they return their top five players for this season.
Coming in fourth in the poll was Sacramento State. The Hornets totaled 39 points and received a pair of first-place votes. Portland State completed the top five in the poll with 36 points.
Idaho (28), Montana State (24), Idaho State (22), and Eastern Washington (10) rounded out the poll.
The 2021 Big Sky Championship will take place May 1-2 at the Phoenix Tennis Center for the fourth-straight season. The top two teams from each division will earn tournament berths.
2021 Big Sky Men’s Tennis Preseason Poll
T1. Montana – 58 (4)
T1. Northern Arizona – 58 (3)
3. Weber State – 49
4. Sacramento State – 39 (2)
5. Portland State – 36
6. Idaho – 28
7. Montana State – 24
8. Idaho State – 22
9. Eastern Washington – 10
() - First-Place Votes