BOSTON –After an appearance in the GNAC semifinals in 2015, the Suffolk men's tennis team is predicted to finish first in the conference's North Division this season, according to the 2016 preseason poll voted by the GNAC's seven head coaches, the league announced Thursday. Prior to 2015, the Rams were on a previous run of five straight GNAC Championship match appearances, including three titles from 2010 to 2012.

In the 2016 poll, Norwich follows Suffolk as the Cadets sit at second place after finishing in the same position last season. Johnson & Wales is predicted to finish third in the GNAC North Division, coming off a first place finish in 2015. In the GNAC South Division, Ramapo and Rutgers-Newark are projected to finish first and second, respectively, while Albertus Magnus and Rutgers-Camden are tied for the slot at third place.

The Rams will be joined by eight newcomers on the 2016 roster and will bring back four letterwinners. The team will be without GNAC Men's Tennis Player of the Year and 2015 senior, Marc Winkler, but will welcome back sophomore Alonso Vela who received second team singles honors last season.

Suffolk will open the 2016 campaign on Thursday, March 24 when it hosts Wentworth at Buckingham, Browne & Nichols at 6:30 p.m.