Eagles Picked Second In Landmark Women’s Tennis Preseason Poll
TOWSON, Md. – One year ago the Juniata College women’s tennis team was picked to finish dead last in the Landmark Conference preseason poll. They finished fourth, earned a program-best 13 wins, and qualified for the second-ever postseason. This year, the Eagles have been picked second by the leagues’ coaches, raking in 35 points including one first place vote.
By: Laura Chapman
Assistant Sports Information Director
chapmal@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
TOWSON, Md. – One year ago the Juniata College women's tennis team was picked to finish dead last in the Landmark Conference preseason poll. They finished fourth, earned a program-best 13 wins, and qualified for the second-ever postseason. This year, the Eagles have been picked second by the leagues' coaches, raking in 35 points including one first place vote.
"This year's ranking is reflective of the hard work and good job that we did last year," said head coach Jason Cohen. "Teams definitely underestimated us last year and we proved to them that that was a bad idea. We've earned some respect from last year and the fact that we didn't have any seniors graduate. We still have a long way to go."
Defending Landmark champion, The University of Scranton, topped the voting with 54 points including four first place votes. Coming in just behind Juniata in third, Goucher College hauled in 34 points with one first place vote. The final No. 1 vote went to Catholic University of America, who accumulated 32 points and tied with Moravian College for fourth place.
"I'm looking forward to getting to Hilton Head and actually playing matches," said Cohen. "I'm sure the team is excited as well to hopefully get somewhere warmer. It's kind of tough the way the schedule breaks up because we have to come right back from spring break and play Catholic that Saturday. That's just the way the schedule is and other than that I think our schedule sets up pretty well."
The Eagles made a strong showing during their fall season at the Oberlin Invite and the Intercollegiate Athletic Associate (ITA) Regional tournament. Juniata also topped Penn. State-Altoona 9-0, in the lone home event of the fall season, and earned Landmark Player of the Week honors with sophomore Tori Gray (York, Pa./Central York) in the third week of play.
"I'm pretty optimistic about the season, but we still have a long way to go," said Cohen. "We have to keep working every day to get better for the end of the season."
The Eagles will open the 2014 spring season in Hilton Head, S.C. over spring break and will return home Wednesday, March 19, for a bout with Lycoming College at 3:30 p.m.
For the full Landmark Conference poll, click here.
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