League Lists Four in NAIA Top 25
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Embry-Riddle, SCAD Savannah, St. Thomas and Webber International are listed among the best women’s tennis programs in the nation according to the Women’s Tennis Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 poll released by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics on Tuesday.
After advancing to the national semifinals last season, Embry-Riddle (234 points) comes in ranked third in the nation. The defending league champion, ERAU returns eight student-athletes from last year’s roster, including All-Conference selections Yi Ching Chen, Ekaterina Kamendova, Rocio Frej Vitalle, Kristina Marova and Josefine Strom.
SCAD Savannah moved up one spot to No. 8 in the country after closing out 2011 with an 11-3 overall record and a second place finished in the conference race. The Bess received 193 points and will be led by All-Conference honorees NAIA No. 12 Theresa Schmaus and 23rd ranked Magdalena Bresson. The duo is also ranked 12th in doubles.
Sophomore Gabriella Bongiovanni returns to lead a St. Thomas team that is ranked No. 21. The Lady Bobcats were third in last year’s league standings and also moved up a spot with 88 points.
Webber International closed out last season at No. 24 and retain the same position in the preseason poll with 68 points. The Lady Warriors were 12-8 overall in 2011 and compiled a 3-3 league record for fourth place.
Defending national champions Auburn Montgomery tops the poll with 247 points followed by Fresno Pacific (245), Embry-Riddle, Oklahoma Christian (223) and Concordia-Irvine (221). The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the conferences/independents/unaffiliated groupings.