Mary Washington was once again the unanimous choice to sit atop the CAC this spring in a preseason vote among the conference men's tennis coaches. The Eagles, who are seeking their 17th straight CAC crown this season, received seven first-place votes and 49 points to land atop the poll.

2015 runner-up Christopher Newport gained one first-place vote and totaled 43 points to grab second in the poll, followed by Salisbury in third with 37 points.

The coaches predict a close battle for the final two CAC playoff bids among York (28 points), Penn State Harrisburg (24 points) and St. Mary's (22 points), in fourth through sixth, respectively. The top five regular season finishers qualify for the CAC playoffs. Penn State Harrisburg and York finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in last year's regular season, with the Spartans claiming a road playoff win over the Lions in the first round.

Southern Virginia (14 points) and Frostburg State (7 points) rounded out the coaches' poll in seventh and eight, respectively.

Most CAC teams have begun their spring campaigns as we enter mid-March, with over half of the squads sporting .500 records or better.

The teams will battle through April to gain one of the five CAC playoff opportunities, culminating with the two finalists playing for the CAC crown and an NCAA automatic bid on Saturday, April 23.

2016 CAC Men's Tennis Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Mary Washington (7 first-place votes) 49 points
2. Christopher Newport (1 first-place vote) 43 points
3. Salisbury 37 points
4. York 28 points
5. Penn State Harrisburg 24 points
6. St. Mary's 22 points
7. Southern Virginia 14 points
8. Frostburg State 7 points