BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State University tennis team was picked fourth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll as voted on by the 12 head coaches in the league. The announcement came today from the NSIC office.
 
Augustana was chosen as the preseason favorite earning 121 points, including 11 first place votes. Augustana has won the past 11 NSIC championships and have won 129 consecutive NSIC regular season matches. Winona State was picked to finish second receiving 102 points and one first place vote, followed by UMary in third with 89 points, SMSU with 82 points, while Minnesota State rounded out the top five with 70 points.
 
Augustana freshman Gabriela Jancikova was named the league's preseason Player of the Year, while SMSU junior Courtenay Leonard was named a "Player to Watch" this season.
 
SMSU, under third-year head coach Jon Parker, looks to continue its move up the NSIC standings this spring. SMSU had one of its most successful seasons in nearly 15 years in 2021, closing with a 9-8 overall record, including 8-3 in NSIC play. The third-place regular season finish was the program's highest since 2008, while the semifinal appearance in the league tournament was its first since the 2009 season. SMSU's winning record was just its third since the 1998 season.
 
The Mustangs have four returning letter winners from last spring's team and had several newcomers play big matches during the 2021 fall season. The 2022 spring roster has 11 players with two seniors, two juniors, two sophomores and five freshmen.
 
Junior Courtenay Leonard played a strong No. 2 singles in 2021 with six victories in league play, while earning nine victories in conference action in doubles.
 
Sophomore Maja Louisa Harck returns after earning All-NSIC honorable mention in 2021, which included a 9-1 singles record in NSIC matches. She also recorded six victories in doubles play.
 
Senior Cora Delich brings a wealth of experience for the Mustangs having been in the program for five seasons. She had six victories in NSIC singles play last spring and had four more wins in doubles action.
 
Also returning is sophomore Daniela Poulakidas, who earned four wins in NSIC singles play last spring.
 
SMSU opens the 2022 spring season this Saturday with matches versus Bethel University and Hamline University in Rogers, Minn.