Lehigh tabbed for fifth in women's tennis preseason poll
Posted: 01/17/2013 | Last updated: January 17, 2013 at 01:44 PM
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – As the Lehigh women’s tennis team prepares to open its spring season on Saturday, the Mountain Hawks learned Thursday that they were picked fifth in the Patriot League’s preseason poll. Lehigh garnered 35 points in the poll, which was voted on by the league’s coaches and sports information directors.
Lehigh will look to improve upon a 5-14 2012 season that saw the Mountain Hawks bow out in the Patriot League quarterfinals against 
fifth seeded Bucknell. Head coach Dave Shook will mentor the Lehigh women exclusively for the first time. His squad features no seniors, so he will rely on an experienced junior class for leadership. Junior Jenai Bilimoria returns after earning second team All-League honors last year, while classmate Taylor Hampshire looks to regain the form from her second-team All-League freshman season as she works her way back after missing most of last spring due to injury. Kathleen Larkin and Jill Sloand round out the junior class; while the Mountain Hawks’ roster also features three sophomores, led by Abby Farrell, and freshman Ali Kaminetsky.
Defending league champion Army was picked first with 69 points and nine of a possible 14 first place votes, while runner-up Navy is close behind with 65 points and five first place votes. Bucknell was picked third, followed by Colgate, Lehigh, Lafayette and Holy Cross.
The Mountain Hawks will open the 2013 season on Saturday when they travel to Philadelphia to meet the Penn Quakers at 12 p.m.
2013 Patriot League Women’s Tennis Preseason Poll
1. Army – 69 points (9 first-place votes)
2. Navy – 65 (5)
3. Bucknell – 49
4. Colgate – 42
5. Lehigh – 35
6. Lafayette – 19
7. Holy Cross – 15