COLONIA, N.J. – The Knights of Queens College were picked first in the 2026 East Coast Conference (ECC) Men’s Tennis Preseason Coaches’ Poll released on Friday morning.
The Knights, who have won seven out of the last eight championships, received 15 points and three of the four first place votes.

St. Thomas Aquinas College, which is the only team to win a championship besides Queens in the last eight years, was second with 13 points and one first-place vote.

Ronnberg has already been off to a great start, as he advanced to the ITA Cup by winning the ITA East Region. He has a 9-2 record this season and is ranked 23^rd in Division II in the most recent polls. In addition, he is ranked first in the East Region. Last season, he posted a 13-4 mark in singles play, as the Spartans advanced to the Sweet 16 before falling to Valdosta State.

The University of the District of Columbia was third with eight points and Daemen University was fourth with four points.

The Spring schedule begins on Friday, as Daemen has a pair of matches in Ohio against Ashland and Walsh. The league schedule starts on Friday, March 20 as Daemen heads to Queens, and UDC takes on St. Thomas Aquinas.

The ECC Championship, featuring the top three teams, is scheduled Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.

2026 East Coast Conference Men’s Tennis Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. Queens College – 15 points (3 first-place votes)
2. St. Thomas Aquinas College – 13 points (1 first-place votes)
3. University of the District of Columbia – 8 points
4. Daemen University – 4 points
Preseason Player of the Year: Henry Ronnberg, St. Thomas Aquinas