DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle men's tennis team will start its 2019 campaign ranked 16th in NCAA II according to the preseason rankings release by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association on Thursday.
 
The Blue and Gold will look to improve on a 2018 season that saw the team post a 12-10 overall record and advance to the NCAA II South Region tournament in the program's first season as full member of NCAA II and the Sunshine State Conference. The Eagles return four starters and seven letterwinners from last year's team, including All-Conference selections Juan Ortiz Couder and Andres Donayre, who teamed up to win the 2018 ITA South Region doubles title in the fall.
 
Defending national champion Columbus State topped the poll, while the SSC's Barry and Lynn rounded out the top three.
 
The Eagles open their season at 1 p.m. on Feb. 2 when they host eighth-ranked Valdosta State at the Crotty Tennis Complex.