Tennis: BGSU picked to finish 3rd in MAC in 2013 - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Tennis: BGSU picked to finish 3rd in MAC in 2013

CLEVELAND – The Bowling Green State University tennis team has been picked to finish third in the Mid-American Conference regular-season standings in 2013, according to the preseason coaches poll released by the league office Friday afternoon (March 8).

The Falcons garnered 54 points in the poll, which is the result of voting by the league's head coaches. Akron was predicted to capture both the regular-season title and the MAC Tournament championship. The Zips received 65 points and five first-place votes.

Miami was picked to finish second with 57 points, with the Falcons just three points behind. Eastern Michigan was picked to finish fourth in 2013, followed by Western Michigan, Buffalo, Ball State, Northern Illinois and Toledo.

Last season, the Falcons placed fifth in the MAC regular-season standings with a 4-4 overall record, but the Brown and Orange advanced to the semifinals of the MAC Championships after a 4-0 win over fourth-seeded EMU in the quarterfinal round. BGSU fell in the semifinals to 2012 regular-season champion Miami, and the RedHawks lost a 4-3 decision to Akron in the championship match.

This season, the Falcons are off to a 9-1 start in dual matches, heading into a home match vs. Butler next Saturday, March 16. After a trip to UIC the following day, BGSU will prepare for the MAC opener vs. UT on March 22 at Keefe Courts.

BGSU's eight-player roster includes four seniors, co-captains Maddy Eccleston and Mary Hill along with Katie Grubb and Jade Johnson. A pair of juniors -- Nikki Chiricosta and Emily Reuland -- are joined by freshmen Katie Brozovich and Drew Fillis to round out the 2012-13 Falcon roster.

The complete poll is listed below.

2013 MAC WOMEN'S TENNIS
PRESEASON POLL
1 - Akron (65)
2 - Miami (57)
3 - Bowling Green (54)
4 - Eastern Michigan (46)
5 - Western MIchigan (43)
6 - Buffalo (39)
7 - Ball State (22)
8 - Northern Illinois (19)
9 - Toledo (15)
(total points based on 9 for a first-place vote, 8 for second place, etc.)