NORMAL, Ill. – The Summit League announced the 2019 preseason polls Thursday, Jan. 10 with the Illinois State men's tennis team projected to finish at No. 5 in its second season in the Summit.
The Redbirds totaled 19 points behind Omaha (20) and Valparaiso (21). Denver claimed the No. 2 spot with 31 points, while Drake is favored to take the Summit League title with 36 points. Oral Roberts and league newcomer North Dakota tied at No. 6 receiving seven votes each.
Sophomore Diego Le Gal Perez was pegged as a Summit League Athlete to Watch, after finishing 2-4 in singles in the fall season. Perez redshirted his freshman year with the 'Birds. Prior to Illinois State, he won the 2017 Madrid doubles junior championship and ranked in the top 10 among juniors and top 100 among men.
Illiniois State finished the tournament season 35-38 in singles and 15-22 in doubles. The 'Birds will open the dual season on the road Jan. 19 with a match against Drake in Des Moines, Iowa.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
