VCU Garners Unanimous Support as A-10 Men's Tennis Preseason Choice

12 Student-Athletes Honored as Preseason All-Conference Selections

2/8/2023 3:00:07 PM

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Defending men's tennis champion VCU earned distinction as the unanimous favorite entering the 2023 campaign, per the league's annual Preseason Poll. Additionally, the conference announced the 12-man Preseason All-Conference Team Wednesday afternoon.

The A-10 Preseason Poll and Preseason All-Conference Team are voted on by the league's head coaches.
 
Five-time reigning title defender VCU collected 100 total points and all 10 first-place votes en route to the top overall position in the Preseason Poll. Additionally, the Rams secured the most Preseason All-Conference selections, as VCU veterans Joaquim Almeida, Charles & Maxence Bertimon, Matisse Bobichon and Rayane Stable – five members of the 2022 A-10 All-Conference first team – each received the nod.

Dayton checked in at second in the poll, securing 88 total points. The Flyers also garnered a trio of Preseason All-Conference choices in Connor Bruce, Matt DeMarco and Eric Perkowski, the former two of which picked up postseason recognitions following last season's runner-up run for UD. Richmond followed at third behind 79 points, slotting in a pair of preseason choices as well in 2022 first-team selection John Walsh along with Daniel Kliebhan.
 
With 67 points, Davidson grabbed fourth in the poll while George Mason slotted in at fifth via 45 points; the latter captured one of the final two Preseason All-Conference slots as well in the form of Monil Lotlikar. Saint Joseph's and Saint Louis forced a tie for sixth with 43 points apiece with Duquense trailing not far behind at eighth with 42 points, notably locking down the final preseason slot for 2022 second-team All-Conference pick Kaipo Marshall.

St. Bonaventure (23 points) and Fordham (20 points) rounded out the poll.
 
The season will conclude with the 2023 Atlantic 10 Men's Tennis Championship, set for April 26-29 at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla.
 

2023 A-10 Men's Tennis Preseason Poll
 
School (First-Place Votes) Points
1 VCU (10) 100
2 Dayton 88
3 Richmond 79
4 Davidson 67
5 George Mason 45
t-6 Saint Joseph's 43
t-6 Saint Louis 43
8 Duquesne 42
9 St. Bonaventure 23
10 Fordham 20

 
2023 A-10 Men's Tennis Preseason All-Conference Team
 
Name Class School
Connor Bruce SR Dayton
Matt DeMarco SR Dayton
Eric Perkowski SO Dayton
Kaipo Marshall JR Duquesne
Monil Lotlikar FR George Mason
Daniel Kliebhan JR Richmond
John Walsh GR Richmond
Joaquim Almeida SO VCU
Charles Bertimon GR VCU
Maxence Bertimon SR VCU
Matisse Bobichon JR VCU
Rayane Stable GR VCU