MARLBOROUGH, Mass. – With seven first-place votes, Babson College has claimed the top spot in the 2026 NEWMAC Men’s Tennis Preseason Coaches Poll. Head coach Michael Kopelman is back for his eighth season as Babson returns three all-conference honorees from a team that captured its first conference title since 2021 last spring. Reigning NEWMAC Rookie of the Year Edward Wang, senior Alexander Merson, and sophomore Sebastian Mendoza all garnered all-conference accolades in both singles and doubles for the Beavers, who set a single-season record for wins and advanced to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals for the first time in school history. The Beavers are currently ranked No. 12 by the ITA.  
 
MIT was voted into the second spot, securing the remaining first-place vote. Dave Hagymas enters his 21st season at the helm for MIT and will return all-conference members Grant Gallagher and SangHyuk Im.
 
Landing in the third spot is Springfield College. Head Coach Tanner DeVarennes returns for the Pride, as does 2023 NEWMAC Rookie of the Year Marc Villanueva Abad.

Clark University, led by head coach Nathan Lookwhy, claims fourth place. The Cougars return seven from last year’s squad that reached the NEWMAC Semifinals, including senior Edward Shepherd-Johnson. Shepherd-Johnson, as well as junior Aris Kirkorian, have each received All-NEWMAC Singles and Doubles accolades during their time at Clark.
 
Fifth place goes to Wheaton College, which will be under the direction of first-year head coach Luis Platas Davila Galindo, who was elevated to head coach status after serving as an assistant in 2024. The Lyons are a young squad, led by their five juniors.   
 
Emerson College slides into the sixth-place spot. Burke Paxton begins his fifth season at the helm, and the Lions have a strong core of returners, led by junior Filippo Nocchi.
 
U.S. Coast Guard Academy claims seventh place in the poll. Head Coach Jordon Smith returns for the Bears and will look to NEWMAC all-conference honorees Ben Bonetto and Brendan Love to lead the squad.
 
Salve Regina University rounds out the poll and will also look to compete for supremacy this season. The Seahawks are under the direction of interim head coach Casey Farrell.  
 
The NEWMAC Men’s Tennis Champion will be crowned on April 26. 
 
2025-2026 NEWMAC Men’s Tennis Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Babson (7)
2. MIT (1)
3. Springfield
4. Clark
5. Wheaton
6. Emerson
7. Coast Guard
8. Salve Regina

About the NEWMAC

The NEWMAC is an association of 12 selective academic institutions: Babson College, Clark University, U.S Coast Guard Academy, Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Salve Regina University, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III Philosophy. The conference also partners with eight Associate Members: Brandeis University (Women's Lacrosse, 2026-2027), New York University (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), Norwich University (Football), Simmons College (Rowing), SUNY Maritime College (Football), SUNY New Paltz (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Football), and Vassar College (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), while sponsoring 20 sports.