BC Second, VWC and HU Tight for Third

SALEM, Va. - Washington and Lee University collected 121 total points and received all 11 first place votes in the 2010 ODAC Women's Tennis Preseason Poll.  Bridgewater College locks down the second position after picking up 90 points, while Virginia Wesleyan College and Hollins University are separated by just one point for third place with 84 and 83 points, respectively.

Washington and Lee posted a 20-5 overall record and an unscathed 10-0 ODAC mark in 2009 en route to securing its seventh-straight conference crown.  The Generals advanced to the third round of the NCAA Division III Championship, posting a 5-0 win over Meredith College before falling to Emory University, 5-2.

Washington and Lee will open the 2010 season ranked fifth in the nation and second in the Atlantic South region polls.  WLU will be without the services of two-time ODAC Player of the Year in Katie Tabb, as well as first-teamer Meg Spalitta, following graduation.  However, the Generals welcome back five first team choices including reigning ODAC Rookie of the Year, Ellen Yeatman, who finished with a 13-7 singles mark at and a 14-4 doubles record.  Senior co-captain Lauren Caire returns after earning All-ODAC First Team honors at No. 1 doubles, while teaming with Tabb.  Blair Brzeski wears the other co-captain hat, having also earned first team recognition in 2009 at No. 5 singles.  Jen Snyder (No. 4 singles), Trelsie Sadler (No. 3 singles) and Ann Morris comprise the remaining all-conference returnees, with the latter two teaming up at No. 2 doubles last season.

Bridgewater, who was tabbed second in this year's preseason poll, finished the 2009 campaign with a 12-6 overall record and an 8-2 mark in conference action.  The Eagles graduated just one first team selection in singles and doubles play with Jessica Hill completing her senior year with an 11-6 singles record and a 13-5 doubles record .  Seniors Alissa Michael and Megan Mathias headline the returnees for Bridgewater.  Michael and Mathias partnered up and received All-ODAC First Team honors in doubles action after posting a 13-6 overall record.  Mathias also completed the season with an 11-5 singles mark.  Marieke Johnson also returns to the court after earning first team honors in doubles play a season ago.

Virginia Wesleyan posted an 11-3 overall record and an 8-1 mark in the ODAC play last spring, having made an appearance in the title match against Washington and Lee.  The Marlins welcome back their top player from a season ago in All-ODAC First Team choice Imee Bautista.  She went 11-3 overall and 7-2 against league competition at No. 1 singles, and paired with Megan Crook to go 13-2, 8-1, to earn first team recognition at No. 1 doubles.  Also back in the fold are 2009 first team choices Shannon Sabo and Meredith Willett.

Hollins completed the 2009 season with a 6-9 overall record and a 3-7 ODAC mark.  Hollins graduated All-ODAC First Team selection Maggie Bai, who ended her senior year with a 12-2 record at No. 1 singles.  HU welcomes back Shawnte Woodson and Anne Ailstock, who garnered second team honors at No.  1 doubles.  Woodson also earned second team accolades at No. 2 singles after posting a 10-4 record.

Listed below is the entire 2010 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.