NEW HAVEN, Conn. - - Following a successful inaugural season, the Wilmington University women's tennis team is primed for another strong season in 2017-2018, as they were voted to finish third in the 2017 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.
The Wildcats earned 58 total points to sit in third place for their second season of competition. They are coming off a 10-6 first campaign, going 6-1 in CACC play while reaching the CACC Tournament Semifinals.
Defending CACC Tournament Champion Goldey-Beacom returns as the preseason favorite, earning four first place votes and 76 total points. Longtime CACC powerhouse Concordia returns after a year's hiatus to claim the second spot, garnering four first place votes and 63 total points. The Wildcats wrap up the top three with their 58 points.
Post, who upended the Wildcats in the CACC Tournament Semifinals, picked up 52 points for fourth while USciences claims the fifth spot with 45 points. Chestnut Hill rounds out the predicted CACC Tournament participants with the final first place vote and 40 total points.
Rounding out the remaining CACC Preseason Poll includes Jefferson (36 points), Holy Family (19 points), and Caldwell (15 points).
The goal is to be one of the top six teams in the standings at the end of the regular season. The top two teams will receive a first round bye with the remaining four teams playing for a spot in the CACC Tournament Semifinals. The semifinals and championship will be hosted by Post University in Middlebury, Conn. A champion will be crowned on Saturday, October 21.
The 2017 fall season begins on Tuesday, September 5 when the Wildcats host East Region power NYIT at the Delcastle Tennis Center at 3:00 p.m.
AGATE
2017 CACC Women's Tennis Preseason Poll
1. Goldey-Beacom – 76 points (4 first place votes)
2. Concordia – 63 (4)
3. Wilmington – 58
4. Post – 52
5. USciences – 45
6. Chestnut Hill – 40 (1)
7. Jefferson – 36
8. Holy Family – 19
9. Caldwell - 15