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Hampden-Sydney College (H-SC) has been picked sixth in the 2024 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Men’s Tennis Preseason Poll. The Tigers garnered 72 points, which placed them sixth among 12 schools. H-SC finished 11-12 overall last season and 5-4 in the ODAC. The Tigers earned the seventh seed in the ODAC tournament and fell in the quarterfinal to second-seeded Averett University. 

Washington and Lee were picked to finish first with 121 points and 11 first-place votes. Averett University is second with 107 points and one first-place vote, followed by Virginia Wesleyan University in third with 98 points, Shenandoah in fourth with 93 points, and Guilford rounds out the top five with 73 points. After the Tigers, are the University of Lynchburg (69), Randolph College (43), Randolph-Macon College (41), Bridgewater College (32), Roanoke College (32), and Ferrum College (11). 

“We’ve had a positive start to spring, playing numerous in-squad matches at indoor tennis facilities in Lynchburg at night to prepare for our matches starting in February,” said head coach Byron Balkin. “The first half of our spring season schedule is designed to get us ready for our conference slate. Being acknowledged in the conference’s preseason poll is motivating, and we’re eager for those opportunities on the court to begin.” 

The Tigers bring back all but one of their letter-winners from last season. They will be led by junior captain Barrett Foster (Virginia Beach) and sophomore captain Dillon McReynolds (Abingdon), who occupied the first and second singles spots last season. 

Balkin enters his sixth season at the helm of the tennis program. The University of Wisconsin at Whitewater grad has amassed a 39-47 overall record and a 21-16 record in the ODAC. 

H-SC opens the spring season against Division I, College of Charleston (SC) on Saturday, February 3, at 11 a.m. at the Magnolia Green Tennis Facility in Moseley.