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Patriot League Announces 2009 Women's Tennis Preseason Poll
2009 Patriot League Tennis Webguide
Jan. 16, 2009 Center Valley, Pa. - The U.S. Military Academy was chosen to win the Patriot League title in a vote by Patriot League head coaches and sports information directors in the 2009 Patriot League Women's Tennis Preseason Poll. Army led the pack by earning 10 of the 12 first-place votes, as well as 50 total points. The Black Knights are the four-time defending Patriot League champions, and will look to extend the streak to five in 2009. Nine-time Patriot League Coach of the Year Paul Peck will have a strong corps of returning student-athletes from last season's team, including 2008 Patriot League Player and Rookie of the Year Annie Houghton. Joining Houghton will be 2008 First-Team All-Patriot League selections Kristin Beehler, Caitlin Finnegan and Sarah Giles-Madden and Second-Team All-Patriot League selection Niki Flach. Finishing second in the preseason poll is Bucknell, which earned two first-place votes, and 42 points overall. The Bison welcome back a strong contingent of underclassmen, including 2008 First-Team All-Patriot League selections Paulina Gamboa and Tania Varela. Head Coach Rebecca Helt welcomes back seven letterwinners from last season and is bringing in three newcomers this season. Coming in third was Colgate, which garnered 36 total points. The Raiders finished third in the regular season in 2008, and will look to improve in 2009. They will have the experience of a pair of juniors, as both Elise Derose and Samantha Inacker were named First-Team All-Patriot League a year ago. Fourth place went to Lehigh, who earned 26 total points. The Mountain Hawks welcome back junior Julie Arthofer and senior Allison Schwartz, who earned Second-Team All-Patriot League status in 2008. Lafayette (15 points) and Holy Cross (13) round out the poll. Navy elevated its women's club team to varsity this season, and new Head Coach Keith Puryear and the Mids will play a non-League schedule this season before beginning Patriot League play in 2010. The 2009 Patriot League Women's Tennis Championship will take place April 24-26 on the campus of Bucknell University, in Lewisburg, Pa. 2009 Patriot League Women's Tennis Preseason Poll
1. Army 50 (10)
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