BURNSVILLE, Minn. - Minnesota State tennis was ranked No. 2 in the 2026 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll on Thursday. The Mavericks came in behind 15-time defending champion Augustana and ranked ahead of Sioux Falls, UMary and Minnesota Crookston. The Preseason Coaches' Poll is based off each coach ranking each team with the top team receiving 10 points, second 9, third 8, etc. 

Minnesota State finished last season 12-4 overall, including 8-1 in NSIC matches. After defeating No. 3 seed Sioux Falls in the NSIC semifinals, the Mavericks fell to Augustana in the championship 4-1 on April 27. It was the fourth straight year the Mavericks lost to Augustana in the conference tournament.

The Mavericks begin conference play on February 14 against Minnesota Crookston in Winona, Minnesota at 1:30 p.m. CT. Head coach Drew Hawthorne is in his first season after serving as assistant coach last spring. This year's roster features five seniors, one junior and five freshmen. Freshman Julia Gurholt (Kimberly, Wisconsin) played No. 1 singles in MSU's exhibition last weekend against Gustavus Adolphus.

Senior McKenna DeMarce (Las Vegas, Nevada) was named MSU's player to watch. In 2025, she held a 12-3 singles record (9-0 vs. NSIC opponents). She also posted an 11-5 doubles record (7-2 vs. NSIC) and was named All-NSIC First Team Singles and All-NSIC Second Team Doubles.

Luzmary Diaz Castillo (MSU Moorhead) was named the NSIC Preseason Player of the Year.
 

Rank	Team (First Place Votes	Pts.
1	Augustana (10)	100
2	Minnesota State	84
3	Sioux Falls (1)	81
4	University of Mary	61
5	Minnesota Crookston	59
6	Jamestown	50
7	Winona State	48
8	Bemidji State	38
9	MSU Moorhead	36
10	St. Cloud State	26
11	Minnesota Duluth	22