Washington and Lee Picks Up 10 First Place Votes, Hollins with One

 FOREST, Va. --- Washington and Lee University received 10 first place votes on the way to 100 points as the Generals top the 2012 ODAC Women's Tennis Preseason Poll.  Hollins University garnered the remaining top tally towards 86 points to hold second in the survey.  Just three points separates Sweet Briar College (79) and Bridgewater College (76) for third position.

Washington and Lee collected its 21st ODAC crown in 26 seasons of competition and 10th-straight title in 2011.  The Generals received the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, where they eventually fell to Emory University, 5-0, in the quarterfinals.

Washington and Lee (20-7 overall, 10-0 in ODAC play in 2011) will begin the 2012 season ranked eighth in the nation.  The Generals welcome back a host of returners, including five All-ODAC First Team picks.  Seniors Ellen Yeatman (6-9 at #1 singles), Jen Snyder (6-8 at #3-s), Lauren Lukas (6-7 at #- s), Trelsie Sadler (10-5 at #4-s) and junior Sallie Griffin (12-3 at #5-s) all were first team singles choices at ladder positions 1-5, sequentially.  Yeatman and Snyder teamed up to garner first accolades at No. 2 doubles after posting a 13-4 overall mark.  Lukas and Sadler also teamed up to collect first team honors at No. 1 doubles with a 10-8 record.  Lukas and Sadler are currently ranked 10th in the Atlantic South Region in doubles by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA).  Lukas is also rated 19th in the region in singles play.  Griffin is currently ranked 16th in the region.

Generals' newcomers have already made a mark on the ITA regional rankings thanks to solid fall showings.  Sonja Meighan leads the bunch as she is currently slotted second on the Atlantic South Region singles charts.  She's joined by Lindsey Burke (11th) and Patricia Kirkland (25th).  In doubles play, Allison Hupalo joins Griffin as the 12th-rated duo.  Kirkland and Meghan Buell are tabbed 14th.

Hollins (16-4, 9-1), ranked 14th in the Atlantic South Region, was Washington and Lee's opponent in the title match in 2011, marking the second straight trip to the finals for HU.  Hollins graduated three all-conference players, but returns two first team selections and one second team pick from a year ago.  Junior Karen Montoya and sophomore Priscillia Montoya return to the court after posting a 14-4 overall mark en route to garnering first team accolades at No. 1 doubles.  Priscillia Montoya (14-2 at #3-s) also collected second team recognition at #3 singles.  Senior Shawnte Woodson (10-6 at #4-s) returns after earning second team honors at #4 singles. 

Sweet Briar (12-6, 6-4) will be without some familiar faces, but regionally 18th-ranked Vixens do return a few experienced players.  Junior Sarah Manter and sophomore Emma Merritt-Cuneo will lead SBC into the 2012 campaign.  Manter posted a 2-5 overall record in singles play, while Merritt-Cuneo went a 6-4 overall.  Manter also posted a 9-4 mark in doubles action. 

Bridgewater (15-4 overall, 8-2 ODAC), currently rated 16th in the Atlantic South Region, will be under new leadership in 2012 as Marty Perry takes over the squad.  He welcomes back several experienced players, including three sophomores who earned All-ODAC Second Team laurels a season ago.  Katie Gordon (12-7 at #1-s) returns to the Eagles' top singles position, while Katy Bergey (14-4 at #2-s) was impressive as BC's #2 singles player.  Brittany Wilson turned in a school record 13-match winning streak in the middle of the season, while her 18 total wins (including fall) on the year also set a new school standard. 

Roanoke (9-5, 7-3) welcomes back two second team players as new head coach Justin Fainter opens his first season guiding the Maroons.  Junior Laura Dodson (11-3 at #1-s) collected second team accolades at No. 1 singles, while classmate Corbin Leitch (10-3 at #2-s) earned her honors at No. 2 singles.  The duo also teamed up and recorded a 9-5 overall mark in doubles action. 

Virginia Wesleyan (4-12, 4-7), Guilford (8-11, 5-5) and Randolph-Macon (7-9, 3-7) all welcome back several key components in 2012.  Sophomore Cay Gee, an All-ODAC Honorable Mention pick a year ago, returns for the Marlins after posting an 8-4 record in singles play.  The Quakers return sophomore Natalie Sutton, who went 6-12 in singles action.  The Yellow Jackets roster includes several returnees, including junior Reba Sledd.  Sledd posted an 8-6 mark in singles play and a 6-9 record in doubles action. 

Emory & Henry (3-14, 2-8), Lynchburg (2-10, 1-9), and Randolph (0-15, 0-10) will all look to climb the ODAC ladder this season.  The Wasps welcome back sophomore Alyssa Wingate, who earned honorable mention honors last season after registering a 9-8 overall record in singles play.  In doubles action, Wingate went 6-11.  The Hornets' return sophomore Casey Moore, who went 5-3 combined at No. 3 and No. 4 singles.  The WildCats will welcome several new faces this season, but sophomore Kalyne Lynch returns after posting a 2-14 overall singles record a season ago. 

Listed below is the 2012 ODAC Women's Tennis Preseason Poll.  For more information, visit any of the participating schools’ websites, or go to the ODAC’s home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com.  Don’t forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook by clicking HERE.  You can also follow the ODAC on Twitter by clicking HERE.