Posted: Feb 17, 2009
SALEM, Va. --- Washington and Lee University earned 121 total points and received all 11 first place votes in the 2009 ODAC Women's Tennis Preseason Poll. Bridgewater College holds down the second position after picking up 103 points in the annual survey of the league's coaches. Hollins University rounds out the top three with 96 points.
Washington and Lee boasted a 28-1 overall record with a 10-0 ODAC mark in 2008 and looks to claim its seventh straight ODAC women's tennis crown this spring. The Generals finished as the national runner-up last year, one season removed from winning the 2007 NCAA Division III Championship. Back for another run is reigning ODAC Player of the Year, senior Katie Tabb, who completed her season with an impressive 13-2 singles record and a perfect 5-0 showing at #1 singles ODAC play. Two other key returning players for the Generals are senior Meg Spalitta and junior Lauren Caire, both All-ODAC First Team selections in 2008.
Bridgewater College (9-1 ODAC) is ranked second, despite some major losses to their roster. The Eagles graduated two All-ODAC First Team selections and three second team selections. However, the team will strive for victory behind senior and 2008 All-ODAC First Team Singles selection, Jessica Hill. Hill also received All-ODAC Second Team Doubles honors. Teammate Alissa Michael will be back in action and was both a First Team Singles and Doubles All-ODAC selection.
Hollins (8-2 ODAC) will be led by senior and First Team All-ODAC selection Maggie Bai. She posted a 7-3 overall singles record, 6-2 in the ODAC as the Hollins #1 choice. Sophomore Sarah Budrus will also be key to Hollins' success following a Second Team All-ODAC selection last season.
Roanoke (9-8, 6-4 ODAC) welcomes back Kelsey White and Krizia Gravina, both Second-Team All-ODAC selection last season, White posted an 8-8 overall record at #1 singles in her first collegiate campaign. She was also 5-4 in ODAC play and played with three different partners throughout the year, posting a personal-best 4-3 mark when side-by-side with Kristin Nagy. Gravina, a Christensted, Virgin Islands native, went 9-2 overall and 5-1 in the ODAC in singles
Listed below is the entire 2009 ODAC Women's Tennis Preseason Poll. For a more in-depth view into women's tennis, please visit the ODAC on the Internet at www.odaconline.com
2009 ODAC Women's Tennis Preseason Poll
(#) Denotes first place votes
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1. Washington and Lee (11)
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121 pts.
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2. Bridgewater
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103 pts.
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3. Hollins
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96 pts.
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4. Virginia Wesleyan
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94 pts.
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5. Roanoke
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65 pts.
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6. Emory & Henry
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58 pts.
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7. Sweet Briar
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51 pts.
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8. Randolph-Macon
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49 pts.
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9. Guilford
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41 pts.
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10. Lynchburg
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35 pts.
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11. Randolph
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13 pts.
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