ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College men's tennis team was picked to finish third in the MIAC this season, according to the MIAC Men's Tennis Preseason Poll, which was released today. The Scots, who were 13-6 overall and 6-3 in the conference last year, received 61 points in the poll, which was voted on by the league's 10 head coaches.

Macalester, coached by Jason Muhl, returns its top four players from last year's squad that tied for third in the MIAC and qualified for the conference playoffs. This year's squad is led by juniors Sam Hochberger (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) and Ben White (Parkersburg, W. Va./Parkersburg South), and sophomores Jeffrey Jorgensen (Menlo Park, Calif./Menlo-Atherton) and Karsten Knutsen (Minneapolis, Minn./Riverfield Country Day (Okla.)). Hochberger (first singles) and White (fourth) both were 10-7 overall and 5-4 in the MIAC, while Jorgensen posted a record of 12-4 overall and was 6-2 in conference play at No. 2 singles.

Gustavus, who has won the past 31 MIAC titles, was picked as the favorite again this year. Carleton received two first-place votes and was tabbed for second, followed by Macalester and Saint John's. Bethel and St. Thomas each received 47 points to tie for fifth. The top five teams in the MIAC standings qualify for the conference playoffs, which begin on Apr. 29.

The Scots start the 2020 season on Feb. 8 against St. Scholastica and Martin Luther.

Here is the entire 2020 MIAC preseason poll.

2020 MIAC Men's Tennis Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Gustavus - 80 (8 first-place votes)
2. Carleton - 74 (2)
3. Macalester - 61
4. Saint John's - 55
t-5. Bethel - 47
t-5. St. Thomas - 47
7. Concordia - 34
8. St. Olaf - 26
9. Saint Mary's - 15
10. Hamline - 10