DENVER – The University of Denver men’s tennis team has been named the favorite in the 2026 Summit League Men’s Tennis Preseason Coaches’ Poll. This voting highlights Denver’s strong position as they aim for their third consecutive league title.
2026 Summit League Men’s Tennis Preseason Coaches’ Poll:
- Denver (25 points, five first-place votes)
- Omaha (18 points, one first-place vote)
- Illinois State (17 points)
t4. North Dakota (12 points)
t4. Drake (12 points) - Oral Roberts (11 points)
Denver returns five key players from last season, a season where they again clinched the Summit League title. Among the returning players are standout athletes like graduate student Connor Robb-Wilcox and seniors Raffaello Papajcik and Ryoma Mishiro. These players were recognized on the All-Summit League Team in 2025. The team finished last season ranked No. 50 nationally and boasted a perfect 5-0 record in Summit League matches.
Sophomore Samuel Rovai is also one to watch. He primarily competed in the No. 4 singles position last year, and with an impressive 23-10 singles record, he’s off to a strong start this season, holding a 6-1 record so far.
The Summit League Tennis Championships are set to take place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on April 24-25, 2026. This marks a significant shift as Denver prepares to leave the Summit League for the West Coast Conference on July 1, 2026.
As the season approaches, fans and players alike are eager to see how this transition will shape Denver’s future. The team begins its dual season at home with a match against Texas Tech on January 23, followed by their Summit League opener against Illinois State on April 3.
Recent trends in collegiate tennis show a rise in competitive balance, with more teams showing improvements and narrowing the gap in skill. This season promises to be thrilling as Denver navigates these changes while striving for continued success.
For the official Summit League announcement, check out the Summit League.
