The Emporia State tennis teams have been slotted into the MIAA Preseason Coaches Polls ahead of the 2024 season.  The ESU men were picked fourth in the North Division of the MIAA/GAC poll.  Washburn received nine of a possible 10 first place votes with Northwest Missouri receiving the final vote.  The Hornets were 6-9 last year with a 1-3 record against North Division competition.  This is the first season with new Director of Tennis and men’s head coach John Blackburn leading the program.  The Lady Hornets were selected seventh in the MIAA preseason poll.  Washburn was picked first with three first-place votes followed by Missouri Western receiving one first-place vote, Nebraska-Kearney earning a conference-best four first-place nods, and Northwest Missouri was fourth with the last first-place vote.  ESU went 5-13 last year and begins its second season with Cyrielle “Cycy” Peroche at the helm.  The women begin their season Monday against Barton Community College in an exhibition while the men start Friday in an exhibition against Pratt Community College, both to be held at the Kossover Family Tennis Complex.