Patriot League announces women's tennis preseason poll
Posted: 01/20/2012
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - As the Lehigh women’s tennis team gets set for its season opener against Rutgers, the Patriot League released is preseason poll. The squad was picked to finish fourth with 40 points in a poll voted on by the league’s coaches and sports information directors.
T
he team will look to build on last season’s disappointing 6-13 record. The season ended with a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Colgate on the Patriot League Quarterfinals. With last season’s team being generally young, most of its core players return this season led by lone senior Liz Piscitelli. Sophomore Taylor Hampshire also returns. Hampshire was the team’s lone All-Patriot League pick last season. Rounding out the returning core is junior Abbey Perl, and sophomores Jenia Bilimoria, Kathleen Larkin, and Jill Sloand. The team will also look for contributions from incoming freshmen Molly Brooks, Gabby Drucker, and Abby Farrell.
Defending league champion Army was picked to finish first with 71 points and 11 first-place votes. Navy was picked second with 62 points while Colgate was picked third with 51 points. Colgate, Lafayette, and Holy Cross finished behind the Mountain Hawks to round out the poll.
The team will open its season at home against Rutgers in the Lewis Tennis Center on February 4 at 3 p.m. The match will begin a string of nine consecutive home contests to begin the season.
2012 Patriot League Women’s Preseason Tennis Poll
1. Army- 71 (11)
2. Navy- 62 (3)
3. Bucknell- 51
4. Lehigh- 40
5. Colgate- 36
6. Lafayette-22
7. Holy Cross- 12
Story by Antoine Williams ‘12