FOREST, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Women's Tennis Team has been picked 10th in the 2014 Old Dominion Athletic Conference Coaches' Poll, ODAC officials announced Friday. The poll is voted on by the 12 head coaches in the conference.
Under first-year Head Coach Jessica Giuggioli, Emory & Henry returns its top three players from last year's 8-11 squad and have only one senior on the roster in Alyssa Wingate (Independence, Va.). The Wasps also welcome two freshmen who will make an impact in the lineup immediately.
Last year, Wingate posted a 10-8 record at number one singles and picked up nine wins at number one doubles along with sophomore Taylor Evans (Weber City, Va.), four coming against league opponents. Evans was 13-5 at the second singles flight and earned five victories against ODAC foes. Both players were named ODAC Player of the Week during the season.
Also returning for the Wasps is sophomore Meredith Yeary (Knoxville, Tenn.), who was 8-6 in singles matches at the No. 3 spot, and also picked up five doubles wins. All three of the Wasps returners went 3-0 during the fall season in singles while Wingate and Yeary have posted a 3-0 record at No. 1 doubles.
Joining Emory & Henry this year are freshmen Stella Di Michele (San Remo, ITALY) and Lauren Riner (Coeburn, Va.). Di Michele is in her first semester on campus and will challenge immediately for the top spot in the lineup. Riner was 3-0 in the fall portion of the season at number four singles and comes to E&H after a successful prep career Coeburn High School.
Washington and Lee University is the top choice and received 11 first-place votes for 121 points. Roanoke College is second with 98 points while Bridgewater College is third (90) with one top nod. Virginia Wesleyan College (82) and Randolph-Macon College (77) round out the top five.
E&H, which posted a 3-0 record during the fall, will open the spring portion of its season on Thursday, February 20 when it travels to Bluefield College for a 2:30 p.m. match. The Wasps will open at home on Saturday, March 22 against Salem College at 2:00 p.m.
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2014 ODAC Women's Tennis
Preseason Coaches' Poll
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1. Washington and Lee (11) |
121 pts. |
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2. Roanoke |
98 pts. |
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3. Bridgewater (1) |
90 pts. |
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4. Virginia Wesleyan |
82 pts. |
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5. Randolph-Macon |
77 pts. |
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6. Randolph |
63 pts. |
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7. Guilford |
57 pts. |
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7. Sweet Briar |
57 pts. |
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9. Hollins |
56 pts. |
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10. Emory & Henry |
47 pts. |
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11. Shenandoah |
31 pts. |
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12. Lynchburg |
13 pts. |
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# indicates first place votes |
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