Saints, Eagles Share Top Spot in UMAC Women's Tennis Preseason Poll
2016 UMAC Women's Tennis Coaches' Poll
T1. 23 Points – College of St. Scholastica (3 First Place Votes)
T1. 23 Points – University of Northwestern (3)
3. 14 Points – Bethany Lutheran College
4. 13 Points – Martin Luther College
5. 12 Points – University of Minnesota Morris
6. 5 Points – North Central University
ST. PAUL – The College of St. Scholastica and the University of Northwestern women's tennis teams are predicted to share the 2016 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) women's tennis regular season title according to the league's coaches. The Saints and the Eagles each earned three first place votes in the annual poll.
College of St. Scholastica
2015 Overall Record: 13-11
2015 UMAC Record: 6-2
2015 UMAC Finish: 2nd
Starters Returning: 4
Starters Lost: 2
The St. Scholastica women’s tennis team did make its fourth NCAA Division III Tournament appearance in program history last season, but the Saints realize it was on a technicality. CSS will be hungry this season to re-claim the top spot in the conference it had owned for 18-plus seasons.
First, the Saints will have to replace graduated senior Alexis Gunderson, who finished her career tied for the second-most total wins (106) in program history. CSS will also have to replace Miki Samz, who was an All-UMAC performer last season. Samz is studying abroad this semester.
Returning after studying abroad last season is Jessica Solberg. Solberg was an All-UMAC performer as a freshman in 2014 and led the team with 17 singles victories. Senior Madeleine Scanlan is a two-time All-UMAC selection and with returning All-UMAC doubles partner Daniela Rojas, recorded 14 wins at the No. 1 spot last season.
Head Coach Wells Patten also brought in some talented freshmen this season that will make an immediate impact for the team.
University of Northwestern
2015 Overall Record: 18-11
2015 UMAC Record: 8-0
2015 UMAC Finish: 1st
Starters Returning: 5
Starters Lost: 1
The University of Northwestern women’s tennis team will look to build on last year’s success, as the Eagles turned in a record-setting season, in which they took home the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) regular season and tournament titles. With UNW’s 18 victories in 2015, the Eagles qualified for the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) tournament.
The Eagles return a wealth of experience to their lineup this spring, as reigning UMAC Coach of the Year Matt Swigart will welcome back five of his six starters from last season. The group of five (Karen Moe, Birdie Bardwell,Tina Matetich, Brooke Lapinksi and Rachel Bostrom) , who were all named All-
UMAC in 2015, will be led by Karen Moe, a 2015 NCCAA All-American. Northwestern will rely on its experience and newcomers to help replace Megan Johnson – the 2015 UMAC Player of the Year – this spring. Johnson exited UNW as both the school and conference record holder for wins in a career. UNW’s list of additions includes: Jess Henke (St. Kate’s), Emily Knight, Nikki Edin and Emily Jennings, who will look contribute immediately and set the stage for another championship run in 2016.
Bethany Lutheran College
2015 Overall Record: 3-17
2015 UMAC Record: 2-6
2015 UMAC Finish: 4th
Starters Returning: 5
Starters Lost: 1
The Bethany women’s tennis team will look to improve upon last season’s 2-6 mark in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference. The Vikings return five players to the lineup in 2016 that were a part of the first team to make the conference tournament, along with the addition of several newcomers.
Sophomore Alicia Kranz will return to the Vikings lineup in 2016 as the number one singles and number one doubles player. The sophomore will look to improve off her freshman campaign where she went 8-11 in singles and 6-13 as a doubles player. Morgan Schwarz will provide the leadership to the team this season as she enters her junior year of collegiate tennis while sophomore Taylor Nordhausen will also provide the team with experience in hopes to make a stand in the UMAC. Other returners include Justine Bennett and Kaitlyn Bolte, both sophomores on the tennis team.
Newcomers to head coach Andy Krueger include Ryana Sadaka, Leah Schaeffer, Madalyn Elmquist, and Megan Braatz.
Martin Luther College
2015 Overall Record: 5-9
2015 UMAC Record: 4-4
2015 UMAC Finish: 3rd
Starters Returning: 6
Starters Lost:1
The Martin Luther College women’s tennis team returns a number of key performers from last season’s team that finished third in the final UMAC standings with a 4-4 conference record.
Sophomores Acacia Foss and Rachel Riediger return at the top of the line-up in both singles and doubles after playing those roles as a freshmen last season. A host of other experienced players will join them in the line-up, led by Elizabeth Broring. She will be joined by Charis Goelzer, Melissa Stibb, and Holly Marquardt, who all bring at least two years of experience and figure to find a place somewhere in the line-up in either singles or doubles.
Newcomer Sophia Birner leads a young group that hopes to challenge for a spot.
University of Minnesota Morris
2015 Overall Record: n/a
2015 UMAC Record: n/a
2015 UMAC Finish: n/a
Starters Returning: n/a
Starters Lost: n/a
Minnesota Morris returns to the court after a year hiatus. They will look to returner Kayla Kraemer to help first year head coach Nick Perrin get settled. Kraemer played for the Cougars in 2013 and 2014.
Perrin has a handful of players joining the 2016 squad with high school experience and a few with trips to the MSHSL state tournament.
North Central University
2015 Overall Record: 0-10
2015 UMAC Record: 0-8
2015 UMAC Finish: 5th
Starters Returning: 4
Starters Lost: 6
The North Central University Rams Women’s Tennis team will have a roster of many new and returning athletes. Amber Wolff and Allegra Edwards will both return to the courts to continue the strong play demonstrated last season.
Elizabeth Schaut will add some fresh talent to the team. Playing a top singles spot on her high school team in Green Bay, Wisconsin, has prepared her for the competition of the UMAC.