The Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s preseason coaches’ polls were announced for fall sports, and the IUS women’s tennis team was chosen as the preseason No. 1 team.
The preseason ranking came as no surprise to the IUS athletic staff, coaches and players.
“Since we won conference last year, we seemed like the natural choice,” Jenni Walters, women’s tennis head coach, said.
“We have won the conference for over 10 years, and everyone is always out to get us,” Walters said. “We always have a target on our backs.”
The women’s tennis coaches of the KIAC voted and submitted their predictions on how they believe the teams will finish the season.
IU Southeast was voted No. 1 by the KIAC women’s coaches with five first-place votes and a total of 40 points, taking the top spot.
IU Southeast was followed by Brescia College with 34 points and Midway College came in third with 32 points.
The team will return experienced players from last season that are no strangers to rankings and pressure.
“It’s just another ranking,” Abby Entemen, accounting and finance senior, said. “Because I am a senior, and I kind of know what to expect from the different teams of the conference. The ranking didn’t really surprise me that much because the past several years in our conference we have usually been No. 1, and we still have a strong team.”
Jessica Hartlage, criminal justice sophomore, said she was not surprised by the preseason polls but is pleased with its results.
“I was happy about the ranking because we work really hard throughout the season, and it’s nice to be recognized,” Hartlage said.
The women’s tennis team will rely on depth and many of their returning players from last season to continue the team’s success.
“Our two seniors, Lauren Becker and Abby Entemen, will play a huge role in the season,” Walters said.
Joe Glover, interim athletic director, said he credits Walters and the team for their dedication to the school and sport.
“I am not surprised by the decision,” Glover said. “Coach Jenni Walters and her student-athletes have had tremendous success. They work very hard every year, and they represent our university well.”
The IUS women’s tennis team had a successful season last year, winning conference and advancing to the regional championship; however, due to a shortage of teams in the conference, they were forced to end their season after conference.
“We didn’t have any regionals
anymore, and we didn’t have anything to look forward to at the end of the season,” Enteman said.
Currently, the conference has enough teams to advance to regionals, and the IUS team looks to repeat as conference champions despite the presence of preseason rankings.
“Rankings are wonderful, but I know that Coach Walters and the team won’t settle for preseason No. 1,” Glover said.
“They want to be in first at the end of the season — when it really matters — and I think they will use these preseason rankings for motivation to get where they really want to be at the end of the year — 2010 KIAC Champions,” Glover said.
The IUS women’s tennis team opened their season with a tournament at DePauw University on Sept. 4 and 5.
“It’s tough competition, but we get a lot of good matches, and it’s a good way to kind of see where everyone stands,” Walters said.
With the preseason top ranking secure, the team looks to defend their conference championship and be the top-ranked team in the KIAC postseason, as well.
By NIKOLETTE LANGDON
Staff
nlangdon@umail.iu.edu