Contact: Brock Reisler, Assistant Executive Director, breisler@midwestconference.org
OSHKOSH, Wisconsin – The Grinnell College Pioneers were picked to win the Midwest Conference (MWC) men’s tennis championship for the 22nd consecutive season, according to the Preseason Coaches’ Poll announced on Friday morning.
The poll, conducted among the league’s seven head coaches – who could not vote for their own teams – awarded Grinnell 36 points and six first-place votes to lead all squads. The Pioneers finished last season 14-13 overall, including a perfect 6-0 record against MWC opponents. They earned the program’s 27th conference championship and made their 19th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
Lake Forest College finished second in the poll with 31 points and collected the final first-place vote.
Cornell College was picked third overall with 26 points, ahead of Illinois College (19), Lawrence University (17), Ripon College (12) and Monmouth College (6).
The 2025-26 spring campaign opens on Saturday, January 24, as Lawrence visits Saint Mary's (Minn.) in non-conference action. MWC play begins on Saturday, April 4.
Regular season play will culminate with the 2026 MWC Men’s Tennis Individual Tournament scheduled for April 25-26 at the Nielsen Tennis Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
The league’s top four teams will headline the 2026 MWC Men’s Tennis Team Tournament on Friday, April 24. The winner of the single elimination event will receive the MWC tournament title and the automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Division III Men’s Tennis Tournament.
Full results and quick facts for all seven teams can be found below:
2026 MWC Men’s Tennis Preseason Coaches’ Poll Results
1. Grinnell College (6 first-place votes) – 36 points
2. Lake Forest College (1) – 31 points
3. Cornell College – 26 points
4. Illinois College – 19 points
5. Lawrence University – 17 points
6. Ripon College – 12 points
7. Monmouth College – 6 points
() – indicates first-place votes
*Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.
Cornell College Rams
Head Coach: Trent Schneider (5th Season)
2024-25: 16-9-1 (overall), 4-2 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Trent Devore (Jr), Mills Arnold (Jr)
Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: Zack Hasenyager (5th Season)
2024-25: 14-13 (overall), 6-0 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Lucas Willett (Sr), Henry Park (So)
Illinois College Blueboys
Head Coach: Scott Weakley (4th Season)
2024-25: 8-16 (overall), 3-3 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: None
Lake Forest College Foresters
Head Coach: Scot Reinhart (5th Season)
2024-25: 10-10 (overall), 5-1 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: George Ciuca (Sr), Bernardo Aguiar (Jr), Felipe Moraes (So)
2025 MWC Newcomer of the Year
Lawrence University Vikings
Head Coach: Eric Schacht (3rd Season)
2024-25: 7-15 (overall), 2-4 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: None
Monmouth College Fighting Scots
Head Coach: Brian Dahlstrom (4th Season)
2024-25: 0-11 (overall), 0-6 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: None
Ripon College Red Hawks
Head Coach: Sam Brickley (3rd Season)
2024-25: 6-15 (overall), 1-5 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Caleb Sippel (Sr)