WOMEN’S TENNIS CHOSEN SIXTH IN ECC PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Aug. 26, 2009) – The Molloy College women’s tennis team has been selected to come in sixth place in the East Coast Conference in 2009, according to the preseason census, which was issued on Wednesday morning. The Lions, who grabbed eight points in the poll, closed out last year at 1-10 overall and 0-6 in ECC play. Molloy now brings back five of its seven hitters from one year ago, and has a new coach in Terry Hirten, who replaces Kim Kirby at the helm of the program.

Queens College (13-5, 6-0 ECC), which lost to Northeast-10 opponent Stonehill College by a decision of 5-4 in the East Region final of the NCAA Division II Tournament last season, was selected as the undoubted favorite to win the league title in 2009 with a first-place vote from each coach. Dowling College (8-3, 4-2 ECC) took in second place in the census, while St. Thomas Aquinas College (7-6, 2-4 ECC) placed third. University of the District of Columbia and C.W. Post rounded out the Top-5 in the East Coast Conference tally.

During the previous season, senior Annie Ayala (West Hempstead, N.Y.) registered a 6-7 record in singles –a 2-0 ledger coming in the sixth position. Junior Shannon Skeggs (Southold, N.Y.) came in at 3-9 overall. In doubles play, the duo of Ayala and junior Tatiana Lopez (Lakeview, N.Y.) posted a mark of 3-2. Meanwhile, Skeggs and junior Amanda Colquhoun (Floral Park, N.Y.) earned a pair of victories in the No. 2 spot. On another note, junior Laura Mocodeanu (Hyde Park, N.Y.) of Queens earned top ECC preseason kudos.

Hirten will make his coaching debut with the Lions on Monday, September 7, when they face Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference foe Chestnut Hill College in their home opener at Baldwin Park in Baldwin, N.Y. First serve is scheduled for noon.

2009 East Coast Conference Preseason Poll – Women’s Tennis

1. Queens (6 First-Place Votes)
2. Dowling
3. St. Thomas Aquinas
4. C.W. Post
5. District of Columbia
6. Molloy