CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) has released its 2026 men's tennis preseason coaches' poll. The University of Dubuque Spartans received 23 points and is ranked #7 in the A-R-C Coaches Pre-season poll. UD enters 2026 with a 1-1 overall record , beating Ripon College 7-0 and losing to St. Ambrose University 1-6 in the fall season.

During the fall A-R-C Singles Individual Tournament, the men's tennis team grabbed two individual championships. The Spartans "C" Flight duo of Andrew Bollis and Jake Westberry won their division and Westberry won the "D" Flight singles for head coach Chad Fenwick.
 
The 2026 season officially kicks off Saturday, January 31 with five teams in action. The conference slate begins on Saturday, February 14 with Luther hosting Loras. The conference schedule will run through Saturday, April 25. The top six teams at the conclusion of the conference regular season will advance to the conference tournament and the champion will receive the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Championship. 
 

2026 American Rivers Conference Men's Tennis Preseason Coaches' Poll
Place	Team (First-place votes)	Points
1.	Luther (7)	63
2.	Coe (2)	58
3.	Wartburg	45
4.	Loras	44
5.	Central	38
6.	Nebraska Wesleyan	30
7.	Univ. of Dubuque	23
8.	Buena Vista	15
9.	Simpson	8

 
Defending regular season champion Luther College enters its final season in the A-R-C as the preseason favorite. Head coach Adam Strand returns a strong core led by all-conference selections Joao Benvenutti and Abhay Chhabra, along with Juan Hernandez and Rhys Biro-Moore in the lineup. Despite the loss of some key contributors, the Norse bring championship experience and depth back to the courts. 
 
In his third season at the helm, University of Dubuque head coach Chad Fenwick brings back a young core that includes returning all-conference selection Gavin Murrie, along with Jake Wallrichs, Andrew Bollis, and Elia Desaro. After a seventh-place finish last season, the Spartans look to take a step forward despite the loss of two starters. 
 
"Excited about our young team and working to be more competitive in the conference," said Fenwick. 
 
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About the American Rivers Conference
Nationally respected for excellence in NCAA Division III athletics, the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) has a tradition dating back to its founding in 1922 as the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association and adopted its current name in 2018 to reflect its strong Iowa roots and growing regional footprint. The A-R-C is a collaborative community that champions the holistic development of student-athletes, uniting member institutions in a shared commitment to academic achievement, athletic distinction, and leadership.
 
The A-R-C is home to nine full-time member institutions: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College. Luther College has announced its departure from the conference, effective at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year.