KANSAS CITY, Mo. – For the first time in program history, the Embry-Riddle men's tennis team has received the No. 1 ranking in the NAIA Coaches Top 25 poll. The preseason poll was released by the NAIA on Tuesday, with ERAU claiming eight of the 11 first-place votes, totaling 279 points to sit atop the poll, moving up two spots from the final 2012 poll. Auburn Montgomery ranks second with 271 points.
 
The Blue and Gold reached the semifinal round of the NAIA National Championship last year before falling to Oklahoma Christian in a heartbreaking 5-4 decision. The Eagles closed out the season with a 20-4 record and won an unprecedented eighth consecutive Sun Conference regular season title.
 
This year's squad is filled with individuals that are already receiving national attention, as five Eagles are listed on the ITA preseason rankings, led by Patrick Besch who is ranked as the No. 1 singles player in the NAIA.
 
Along with Besch, Chris Freeman is ranked No. 5, Simon Felix is listed 13th and David Spennare is ranked No. 31. In addition, Besch and Felix are listed as the No. 2 doubles tandem in the country while Freeman and J.R. Leonik are ranked ninth in doubles.
 
Embry-Riddle opened the 2013 spring season on Tuesday afternoon with a 9-0 win at Southeastern. The next match for the Eagles will be Feb. 6 at home against NCAA II No. 22 Florida Southern.