Seahawk News
For immediate release
August 25, 2009
Contact: Pete DiVito, 401-341-2461
Women's Tennis Picked Third in Coaches Poll
NEWPORT, R.I. - The Salve Regina University women's tennis team was picked third in the 2009 The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) Preseason Coaches Poll.
The Seahawks - who received a total of 121 points - return six players from last season's 8-7 squad (8-2 TCCC) that advanced to the conference tournament.
"Salve Regina women's tennis will once again be among the contenders for the TCCC championship," said head coach Ed Habershaw, who begins his 16th season as head coach of the Salve Regina women's tennis program. "Our six returners (one senior, three juniors, two sophomores) have stepped up their games and now have added experience to their weapons. Several newcomers will make an impact."
Sophomore Nichol Stevens (Chester, Conn.) leads all Seahawk returners with nine singles wins - six of which came at No. 4 in 2008-09. Junior Erin Phillips (Morristown, N.J.) posted an 8-7 mark at No. 1 singles last season while senior Jessica Timpano (Narragansett, R.I.) won five games at No. 2 singles. Junior Elise Jones (Pittsfield, Mass.) also won five games last season - three at No. 5 singles and two at No. 4 singles.
Colby-Sawyer received 137 points and seven first-place votes to top the poll, followed by defending champion Endicott with 136 points and the remaining five first-place votes. The Seahawks were next, followed by Roger Williams (98 points), Nichols (96 points), Western New England (95 points), Gordon (70 points), Curry (53 points), Regis (46 points), Wentworth (44 points), Eastern Nazarene (27 points), and Anna Maria (13 points).
"I concur with the coaches on the top two picks - Colby-Sawyer, Endicott - the reigning top two from last season, particularly since the Chargers return their entire squad and the Gulls have an NCAA-caliber group returning," said Habershaw.
Teams received 12 points for every first-place vote received, 11 points for second-place votes, 10 points for third-place votes, down to one point for a last-place vote.
The Seahawks open the 2009 season with a contest at Wheaton (Mass.) on Friday, Sept. 4 at 3:30 p.m.
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