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HomeSportsLady Govs picked to repeat as OVC Tennis Champs

Lady Govs picked to repeat as OVC Tennis Champs

APSU Women’s Tennis

Austin Peay State University GovernorsBrentwood, TN – The defending Ohio Valley Conference champion Austin Peay State University women’s tennis team has been picked to repeat in a preseason poll of the league’s coaches, the conference office announced Friday.

“I try not to pay attention to the preseason rankings because the season is long and you never know what can happen,” said head coach Malik Tabet. “I feel like we have a stronger team than we had last year, just as far as talent, but the experience will play a major role this year.”

APSU Women's Tennis. (Austin Peay Sports Information)
APSU Women's Tennis. (Austin Peay Sports Information)

The Lady Govs received seven of the nine first-place votes for 63 points, while Jacksonville State (1 first-place vote) was second with 56 points and Eastern Kentucky (45) was picked third. Murray State (40, 1 first-place vote), UT Martin (38), Morehead State (35), Eastern Illinois (23), Southeast Missouri (15) and Tennessee State (9) rounded out the poll.

It is no secret returning 2010 OVC Player of the Year, Vanja Tomic, and 2010 Freshman of the Year, Carolin Weikard, will give the Lady Govs clout in defending their tournament title.

Vanja TomicThe Lady Govs also lost a pair of All-OVC seniors in Mariana Pagan and Michelle Liew, two players who provided a lot of wins, but more importantly a lot of experience.

Tomic and Wiekard, who were No. 1 and 2, respectively, in the preseason individual rankings, are joined by four incoming freshmen who will fill out the lineup from No. 3 to No. 6. Cassie Hochwalt, Kimberly Loo and Rachel Margolies each played well in the fall, particularly Maroglies. The Wisconsin product went 4-2 during the fall season, while Loo excelled on the doubles side while teaming with Weikard.

Carolin Weikard“They both had a good fall,” Tabet. “Carolin and Vanja are both playing stronger this year and I think going into the conference season, they will have more experience in handling their matches. That’s always a positive thing.”

Austin Peay opened their spring season with a 6-1 win against Lipscomb, January 22nd. The Lady Govs won the top two doubles matches and the top five singles matches, playing without a No. 6 due to an injury. The first OVC match is slated for 2:00pm, February 27th, at Tennessee State.

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