College Tennis News – Guilford Ranked in Preseason ODAC Polls

FOREST, Va. – Guilford College’s men’s and women’s tennis teams were ranked fourth and seventh, respectively, in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) preseason poll released Friday.

Guilford’s men collected 68 points and one first place vote for a fourth place ranking. Washington and Lee University topped the survey with 10 first-place votes and 100 points. Bridgewater College and Virginia Wesleyan College rounded out the top three with 83 and 75 points, respectively.

The Quakers finished the 2012-13 season 8-8 overall and 6-4 in the ODAC. The team returns five students from last year’s squad, including captain and junior Turner Votipka. Votipka was named Third Team All-ODAC at first singles and went 9-10 in singles last season, which ranked fifth in the league. Other veterans include Trevor Cox and Eric Meiler, both of whom have experience in second and third singles and doubles.

On the women’s side, Washington and Lee University secured the top spot with all 11 first-place votes and 121 points. Roanoke College placed second with 98 points and Bridgewater secured third with 90 points. Guilford collected 57 points for seventh place in the preseason poll.

The Quakers finished 7-9 overall and 4-7 in the ODAC last season. Two key returners this year for Guilford are juniors Haley Andrews and Allison Hewitt. Hewitt mainly played at number-five or number- six but she recorded the team’s best overall singles (12-8) and doubles (13-6) records. Andrews held a 5-13 singles record in the number-one position and an 8-12 doubles mark.

Head coach Dave McCain’s Quakers open their 2014 season Feb. 15 at Virginia Wesleyan College.

2014 ODAC MEN’S TENNIS PRESEASON POLL
(#) Denotes first place votes

1. Washington and Lee (10)      100 pts.
2. Bridgewater                   83 pts.
3. Virginia Wesleyan             75 pts.
4. Guilford (1)                  68 pts.
5. Hampden-Sydney                62 pts.
6. Randolph-Macon                58 pts.
7. Roanoke                       52 pts.
8. Emory & Henry                 43 pts.
9. Randolph                      25 pts.
10. Lynchburg                    20 pts.
11. Shenandoah                   19 pts.

2014 ODAC WOMEN’S TENNIS PRESEASON POLL
(#) Denotes first place votes

1. Washington and Lee (11)      121 pts.
2. Roanoke                       98 pts.
3. Bridgewater (1)               90 pts.
4. Virginia Wesleyan             82 pts.
5. Randolph-Macon                77 pts.
6. Randolph                      63 pts.
7. Guilford                      57 pts.
7. Sweet Briar                   57 pts.
9. Hollins                       56 pts.
10. Emory & Henry                47 pts.
11. Shenandoah                   31 pts.
12. Lynchburg                    13 pts.