POCATELLO, Idaho – Big Sky coaches predicted a sixth-place finish for the Idaho State women's tennis team in the preseason poll released by conference officials Tuesday morning.
Idaho State returns seven of its nine players from last year's team that went 9-13 overall and 6-5 in conference play. Their 9-12 mark in the regular season was the second-best finish for ISU women's tennis since 2004, and the team made its second-straight trip to the Big Sky Conference Tournament.
Joining the seven veterans are newcomers
Alexandra Arkhipov and
Adriene Pavek. Among the returners is
Louise-Mare Botes who led the Bengals with a 16-4 record last spring.
Last year's conference championship teams claimed the top-two spots in the voting. Northern Arizona (98) topped the poll with eight first-place votes, and defending conference champion Idaho (93) tallied the remaining three to finish second. Sacramento State (78) and Eastern Washington (71) finished third and fourth. Weber State (60) narrowly edged Idaho State (57) for fifth place.
Southern Utah (47), Montana (37) and Montana State (34) followed ISU in positions seven through nine. Northern Colorado (18) and Portland State (12) rounded out the poll.
The Idaho State women's tennis team returns to the state capital to begin the 2019 spring season against Boise State Jan. 19.
2019 Big Sky Women's Tennis Preseason Poll
1. Northern Arizona – 98 (8)
2. Idaho – 93 (3)
3. Sacramento State – 78
4. Eastern Washington – 71
5. Weber State – 60
6. Idaho State – 57
7. Southern Utah – 47
8. Montana – 37
9. Montana State – 34
10. Northern Colorado – 18
11. Portland State - 12
