ORLANDO, Fla. - The Sunshine State Conference has released the 2026 Men's Tennis Preseason Coaches' Poll with Florida Southern College selected as second among the eight conference teams. 

Barry University was tabbed as the favorite to win the conference, with 49 points and seven first-place votes. Florida Southern finished with 38 points and the last remaining first-place vote. The next SSC teams in the poll included Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (36 points), Saint Leo University (32 points), Rollins College (28 points), Lynn University (20 points), Eckerd College (11 points), and Palm Beach Atlantic University (10 points). 

The Moccasins were recently voted as No. 14 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Preseason Poll after finishing the 2025 season ranked No. 17. FSC had a great conference run in 2025, highlighted by a 4-3 SSC record and advancing to the SSC Championship game for the first time since the 2002 season. In 2025, FSC went 17-9 overall, marking its third straight 15-win season and most match wins since 2008.

Mario Garoz, the Sunshine State Conference Men's Tennis Athlete of the Year, set the single-season wins record with a 22-3 mark. Head coach Rollyson was named SSC Coach of the Year, just the second FSC coach to earn the honor. Chris Fok Kow earned All-SSC First Team honors with a 17-3 singles record and, alongside Garoz, received Second Team Doubles recognition.

In 2026, Florida Southern has 22 regular-season matches scheduled, 15 of which will be at FSC's home court, the Wynee Warden Tennis Center. The SSC Championships will take place on April 30-May 2 in Boca Raton, hosted by Lynn University.

The Mocs will open the season on the road against No. 3 Flagler College on Feb. 7, followed by the home opener against Lynn University on Saturday, Feb. 14, with a noon start.