East Central Reporter

Eastern Illinois men's tennis will play as a member of the Horizon League this spring as the remaining tennis members of the Ohio Valley Conference have joined in a championship partnership for this upcoming spring season.  On Thursday (Jan. 12), the Horizon League released its predicted order of finish for the upcoming season.
 
The membership was divided into a North and South Division based on conference affiliation.   The OVC schools will play in the South Division while the Horizon League schools play in the North Division.  The top three finishers in each division will then advance to the Horizon League Tournament on April 28-30 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to play for the NCAA automatic bid.
 
Belmont was selected first in the South Division followed by Tennessee Tech and Tennessee State.  Eastern Illinois was tabbed fourth followed by Southern Indiana and Lindenwood.
 
Cleveland State was selected first in the North Division followed by Youngtown State.  IUPUI and Northern Kentucky tied for third in the preseason poll with Chicago State selected fifth.
 
Belmont then received seven of the 11 league votes as the projected winner of the Horizon League Tournament.
 
Members in the South Division will play a home-and-home series with each additional member for ten conference matches.  EIU's first conference contest will be March 18 against Southern Indiana.
 
The Panthers return five players from last season with Thomas Wallace a returning All-OVC selection in doubles.  Wallace also posted a team-high eight wins in singles play.  Cameron Slabbert had six wins in singles play followed by Pau Riera with five singles wins. 

Original source can be found here