The Illinois State mens tennis team was picked to finish third in the Missouri Valley preseason poll, trailing only Wichita State and Drake in the polls, who were picked to finish first and second respectively.
The Redbirds were picked on the strength of a second place regular season finish in the Valley last year, and a strong showing at the Valley Individual Championships that saw Tim Link capture an individual title in the No. 7 spot. Alban Renard and Guillermo Gomez also clinched the No.2 doubles crown at the championships.
Head coach Greg Kennett expected to finish third in the preseason poll based on the teams performance thus far in the season.
The poll is basically a reflection of the way things turned out at the Valley Individual championships, Kennett said.
Although the Birds are not as high in the preseason poll as they expect to finish at the end of the season, Kennett feels that it will be a motivation for the rest of the season, as the Birds try to capture the first Valley championship in team history.
Right now we are not where we expect to be at the end of the season, Kennett said. We definitely have yet to play our best tennis.
The Birds (2-2, 0-0) return to action Feb. 20, against Western Michigan, in Kalamazoo, Mich.
2004 Valley Mens Tennis Coaches Poll
1. Wichita State (6), 77
2. Drake (1), 67
3. Illinois State, 62
4. SMS (2), 60
5. Indiana State, 38
6. Southern Illinois, 38
7. Bradley, 33
8. Creighton, 19
9. Evansville, 9
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