The Illinois State womens tennis team was unanimously picked by all ten Missouri Valley Conference coaches as the preseason favorite to win the regular-season conference title. This marks the third year in a row the Birds have received the first-place preseason nod.
The past two years the Birds have managed to go undefeated in conference play, winning the regular-season Valley title outright, as well as the post-season championship tournament both years. Illinois State has since lost its No. 1 player in both seasons, Liina Suurvarik, to graduation, but returns seniors Laura Gravino and Elizabeth Bingier who were both contributors in the undefeated seasons.
Head coach, and reigning Valley Coach of the Year, Chris Hoover is cautiously optimistic about the conference season ahead, and appreciative of the preseason honor.
I like being the preseason pick, said Hoover. But it doesnt really mean anything yet, we still have to play a long conference season. A lot can happen, especially in this conference because I think there are five or six solid teams that can do really well. I am certainly happy, though, that they think we deserve to be the favorite among such solid teams.
Illinois State may have been the clear cut favorite in the voting, but the same could not be said for picks in the two, three and four spots. Southwest Missouri edged Drake for second in the voting, as Indiana State was right behind to finish in a preseason spot at No. 4.
Wichita State was picked fifth, as Southern Illinois and Creighton were picked sixth and seventh, respectively. Northern Iowa, Evansville and Bradley rounded out the conference in the eighth, ninth and tenth preseason spots.
The Birds open conference play in a home match-up against Bradley on March 30.
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