Feb. 22, 2003

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Mid-American Conference office has released the 2003 preseason poll for women's tennis, and the Bowling Green State University Falcons have been picked to finish seventh in the 10-team league. The poll is the result of voting by the MAC's head coaches.

Marshall was picked to win the MAC, garnering 86 points and five of the nine first-place votes cast. Eastern Michigan was right behind, with 85 points and the other four first-place tallies. Marshall and EMU also got five and four votes, respectively, to capture the MAC Tournament title.

Picked for third place was Western Michigan, followed by Northern Illinois, Ball State, Miami and BGSU. Rounding out the poll are Toledo, Akron and Buffalo.

The Falcons finished 5-18 overall and 3-6 in MAC regular-season action last season. BGSU finished seventh in the league and won a tourney first-round match before losing in the quarterfinals.

BGSU opens the 2002-03 MAC slate Friday (Feb. 28), facing arch-rival Toledo at the Shadow Valley Tennis Club. The match is scheduled for an 11:30 a.m. start.

MAC Preseason Coaches Poll

School (FPV).............Pts
1. Marshall (5).......... 86
2. Eastern Michigan (4).. 85
3. Western Michigan...... 70
4. Northern Illinois..... 59
5. Miami................. 51
   Ball State............ 51
7. Bowling Green......... 38
8. Toledo................ 27
9. Akron................. 18
10.Buffalo............... 10

Projected tournament winner:
Marshall (5), Eastern Michigan (4)

Portions of this article courtesy of the MAC office