DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Loras College men's tennis team will open their 2026 spring season in Mount Vernon, Iowa on Jan. 31 against Martin Luther College at 12:30 p.m., and Cornell College at 4 p.m.

Loras comes into the season ranked fourth in the American Rivers Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, earning 44 votes. Luther topped the poll with 63 votes while Coe and Wartburg were slated second and third with 58 and 45 votes, respectively.

Head Coach Cam Long is excited about his mix of returners and new guys on this year's team.

"We have an extremely young team this year but are also bringing back many players." Long said. "I hope that we all continue to learn and improve as the season goes on. Obviously, I'd like to win as many matches as possible and perform well in A-R-C play."

One returner that Long is excited to have back is Gage Becker. The senior from Yankton, S.D. has been a top three singles player since his freshman year and has earned All-A-R-C honors the past two seasons. Junior Andrew Day also returns for the Duhawks. The Dubuque native led the team in singles wins his freshman year and will be another piece to Loras success this season.

Along with some veteran experience, some new faces will be joining the Duhawk lineup this season. Hayden Martin comes to Loras from Rotorus, New Zealand and is looking to expand on a fall season that saw him place third in the A-R-C C-flight singles bracket. Jaimes Palmer and Dali Martens are also part of a solid freshman class and will also be looking to make an impact this spring.

After the trip to Mount Vernon, the Purple and Gold will hit the road again, this time to Madison, Wis. to face off against the University of Northwestern (Minn.) and Edgewood University on Feb. 7.

"The goal is to challenge ourselves early in the season, so we reach our peak in April." Long said.

Loras will open conference play on the road against Luther College on Feb. 14.