SAN MATEO, Calif. – The Portland men's tennis team was picked third in the West Coast Conference Preseason Men's Tennis Poll, the conference office announced on Monday. Additionally, Portland's Sema Pankin was one of six players named Preseason All-WCC by the league's head coaches.

Portland head coach Aaron Gross welcomed back all active players from a 2020-21 squad that finished 10-6 overall and 4-4 in WCC play. Pankin earned All-WCC First Team honors last spring after going 11-5 at the top of the singles lineup.

Pepperdine was named the preseason favorite and took six of the 10 first place votes. San Diego was second and garnered the four remaining first place votes.

The Pilots (1-4) have played stiff competition to open the 2021-22 dual season including losses to nationally ranked TCU and Washington. Portland swept crosstown rival Portland State on Feb. 20 and will next be in action hosting Montana State on Friday, March 11.

WCC Men's Tennis Preseason Poll
1. Pepperdine (6), 78
2. San Diego (4), 76
3. Portland, 58
4. Gonzaga, 51
5. Santa Clara, 46
6. LMU, 44
7. BYU, 38
8. San Francisco, 31
9. Saint Mary's, 16
10. Pacific, 12
(First Place Votes)
 
WCC Men's Tennis Preseason Team
Daniel De Jonge, Pepperdine
Pietro Fellin, Pepperdine
August Holmgren, San Diego
Gui Osorio, San Diego
Sema Pankin, Portland
Tim Zeitvogel, Pepperdine