Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Devils Picked Sixth in CACC Pre-Season Poll

New Haven, Conn. (Aug. 20, 2009) - The University of the Sciences women's tennis team has been picked to finish fifth in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) pre-season poll which was released today. The league's nine head coaches conducted the voting.

In this year's poll, CACC newcomer Concordia College garnered eight of nine first place votes to finish at the top of the poll with 80 points. The Clippers reached the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Division II women's tennis championship last spring. Defending CACC Champion Philadelphia University finished second in the poll with 69 points. CACC Runner-up Holy Family University earned the other first place vote and placed third with 61 points. Goldey Beacom College was fourth with 49 points, while Chestnut Hill College was fifth with 41.

Rounding out the poll is the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (37 points); Georgian Court University (36); Post University (17) and Caldwell College (15).

Four of the Devils top six singles players from their 2008 squad return in 2009 led by sophomore Laney Jones (Wyoming Seminary HS/Blakeslee, Pa.). Jones saw singles action at #4, #5 and #6 singles in 2008-09, compiling a 9-2 singles record. Junior Zahra Hasan (Ward Melville HS/East Setauket, N.Y.) also returns for the Devils in 2009. Hasan compiled a 2-10 record playing primarily at the #1 singles spot. Senior Danielle Perfetti (Cardinal O'Hara HS/Springfield, Pa.) was a mainstay at #5 singles last season, recording a 5-5 record while sophomore Bridget Frymoyer (Governor Mifflin HS/Shillington, Pa.) played in 11 matches at #3 singles, recording a 3-8 mark.

The 2009 squad will see the addition of several players, led by Sara Durham (Sacred Heart HS/Bridgeton, N.J.). Durham led Sacred Heart High School to a 17-4 record and earned First Team All-Cape Atlantic League honors. Also joining the team from Sacred Heart is Desiree Vassalotti (Vineland, N.J.), who earned conference honorable mention honors. USP's 2009 team will also have a new head coach as Larney Baylis takes over the head coaching duties from Dr. Julian Snow. Baylis served as an assistant last season under Snow, who will remain on staff as Baylis' assistant.

In 2008-09, the USP women’s tennis team finished in fifth place in the CACC, recording a 3-4 conference mark and a 4-7 overall record. and failed to qualify for he CACC championships for the first time since women's tennis became a conference sport in 2005.

This year's complete poll is below:

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