Photo by: Tommy Martino/UM Athletics
Grizzly women picked fifth in preseason poll
1/10/2023 10:27:00 AM | Women's Tennis
The Montana women's tennis team has been picked by the league's coaches to return to the Big Sky championship tourney for the first time since 2015 after being selected fifth in the preseason poll.
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With the top six teams advancing to the league championship in Phoenix, the Grizzlies enter the season looking to improve on last year's 2-6 conference record. Â
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To get there, UM will have veteran leadership to rely on with seniors and all-conference honorees Lauren Dunlap, Olivia Oosterbaan, and Maria Goheen set to return.
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Joining them is 2022's breakout star, sophomore Grace Haugen, who earned first-team all-conference honors and an ITA Mountain Region ranking as a true freshman.
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Montana added three newcomers to the mix last year, and each saw success during the fall tournament season. Freshmen Hailey Murphy and Shivika Agrawal each picked up wins at the ITA Regional, and sophomore transfer Nancy Cabanas went undefeated at the EWU tourney, giving UM added depth on this year's squad.
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"Our returners had a great fall, and our newcomers Hailey, Shivika, and Nancy came in and had a good fall as well," said head coach Steve Ascher.
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"We're doing things the right way. The girls are driven, and I think other coaches recognize that. So, it's nice. Now we've got to go play. I'm excited to get going."
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Defending co-champs Northern Arizona and Weber State were selected by the coaches at the top of the league once again, with NAU garnering six first place votes at No. 1.
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Sacramento State and Idaho State slotted in third and fourth, respectively, landing ahead of Montana on the poll.
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The Griz will face each of the top four preseason teams on the road this year, setting up must-win home matches against No. 6 Portland State, t7 Idaho and Montana State, and No. 9 EWU.
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Montana opens the season with three matches on the road this week, traveling to Pullman to face Washington State before heading to Gonzaga to face the Bulldogs, followed by a neutral-site dual against Seattle University in Spokane.
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2022 Big Sky Women's Tennis Preseason Coaches' Poll
1: Northern Arizona (6) – 62
2: Weber State (2) – 56
3: Sacramento State (1) – 44
4: Idaho State – 41
5: Montana – 32
6: Portland State – 28
T7: Idaho – 22
T7: Montana State – 22
9: Eastern Washington – 17
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With the top six teams advancing to the league championship in Phoenix, the Grizzlies enter the season looking to improve on last year's 2-6 conference record. Â
Â
To get there, UM will have veteran leadership to rely on with seniors and all-conference honorees Lauren Dunlap, Olivia Oosterbaan, and Maria Goheen set to return.
Â
Joining them is 2022's breakout star, sophomore Grace Haugen, who earned first-team all-conference honors and an ITA Mountain Region ranking as a true freshman.
Â
Montana added three newcomers to the mix last year, and each saw success during the fall tournament season. Freshmen Hailey Murphy and Shivika Agrawal each picked up wins at the ITA Regional, and sophomore transfer Nancy Cabanas went undefeated at the EWU tourney, giving UM added depth on this year's squad.
Â
"Our returners had a great fall, and our newcomers Hailey, Shivika, and Nancy came in and had a good fall as well," said head coach Steve Ascher.
Â
"We're doing things the right way. The girls are driven, and I think other coaches recognize that. So, it's nice. Now we've got to go play. I'm excited to get going."
Â
Defending co-champs Northern Arizona and Weber State were selected by the coaches at the top of the league once again, with NAU garnering six first place votes at No. 1.
Â
Sacramento State and Idaho State slotted in third and fourth, respectively, landing ahead of Montana on the poll.
Â
The Griz will face each of the top four preseason teams on the road this year, setting up must-win home matches against No. 6 Portland State, t7 Idaho and Montana State, and No. 9 EWU.
Â
Montana opens the season with three matches on the road this week, traveling to Pullman to face Washington State before heading to Gonzaga to face the Bulldogs, followed by a neutral-site dual against Seattle University in Spokane.
Â
2022 Big Sky Women's Tennis Preseason Coaches' Poll
1: Northern Arizona (6) – 62
2: Weber State (2) – 56
3: Sacramento State (1) – 44
4: Idaho State – 41
5: Montana – 32
6: Portland State – 28
T7: Idaho – 22
T7: Montana State – 22
9: Eastern Washington – 17
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Players Mentioned
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