Men's Tennis Receiving Votes in NAIA Preseason Top 25 Poll

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Cumberland men's Tennis opens the NAIA Coach's Preseason Poll receiving votes to be ranked as they look ahead at the 2026-27 campaign.

In the 2025-26 season, CU finished with a record of 8-13, and a 3-3 record in Mid-South Conference play. Cumberland played one of the top schedules in the NAIA and it reflected with tough losses to ranked teams, though the Phoenix did manage to end their regular season on a high note, taking down No. 25 UT Southern.

The Phoenix players return five major contributors to their lineup, including a pair of Mid-South Conference All-Conference Second Team selections in Arthur Fernandes and Mohamed Bouhlel. Further down the lineup CU retained Matheus Guarnieri, Magnus Johansen, and Mateus Mori. Cumberland also brought in three new players, with Nikoloz Gurgenidze coming to CU from Copiah-Lincoln CC and freshman additions and Rafael Fonseca and Elvin Hashimov.

The MSC hosts numerous teams in the top 25, including Lindsey Wilson at No. 6 with the Cumberlands Patriots closely behind at No. 7. Bethel (Tenn.) sits just inside the rankings at No.24, while the Phoenix and Campbellsville Tigers both received votes to be ranked. Cumberland will jump back into play on February 19th, heading down the road to Sewanee.

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Players Mentioned

Mohamed Bouhlel: 5' 9"; Sophomore

Arthur Fernandes: 5' 10"; Sophomore

Matheus Guarnieri: 6' 1"; Sophomore

Magnus Johansen: 6' 4"; Freshman

Mateus Mori: 6' 3"; Freshman

Nikoloz Gurgenidze: Junior

Elvin Hashimov: Freshman

Rafael Fonseca: 5' 11"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Mohamed Bouhlel
: 5' 9"; Sophomore

Arthur Fernandes
: 5' 10"; Sophomore

Matheus Guarnieri
: 6' 1"; Sophomore

Magnus Johansen
: 6' 4"; Freshman

Mateus Mori
: 6' 3"; Freshman

Nikoloz Gurgenidze
: Junior

Elvin Hashimov
: Freshman

Rafael Fonseca
: 5' 11"; Freshman