SAN BRUNO, Calif. — Saint Mary's women's tennis was picked to finish fifth in the West Coast Conference Preseason Poll and Mariia Kozyreva was chosen for the All-WCC Preseason Women's Team announced today voted by the 10 head coaches in the WCC.

The Gaels finished fifth in the WCC last year as they collected 13 wins during the season. Saint Mary's picked up 53 points in the preseason poll, which is just one point behind San Diego who got picked for the fourth seed.

Kozyreva has been a key component to the team as she was the Gaels' No. 1 singles and doubles player last year. The Russia native was also named All-WCC Second Team in both singles and doubles during her freshman season.

Pepperdine was picked to finish first with 81 possible points while Loyola Marymount was chosen to finish second, just 10 points behind the Waves. Gonzaga received the final remaining first place vote and was voted to finish third.

Saint Mary's will be back in action on Jan. 26 as they will travel to Palo Alto for the ITA kick off. The Gaels will play their first home match versus Nevada on Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. PT.

2019 WEST COAST CONFERENCE WOMEN'S TENNIS PRESEASON POLL
Team (First Place Votes)      Points
1. Pepperdine (9)                   81
2. Loyola Marymount             71
3. Gonzaga (1)                       62
4. San Diego                          54
5. Saint Mary's                          53
6. Brigham Young                  42
7. Santa Clara                            36
8. Portland                             20
9. San Francisco                        16
10. Pacific                              15

2019 ALL-WCC PRESEASON WOMEN'S TENNIS TEAM
Madison Clarke, Santa Clara, Sr.
Mariia Kozyreva, Saint Mary's, Soph.
Ashley Lahey, Pepperdine, Jr.
Evgeniya Levashova, Pepperdine, Soph.
Veronica Miroshnichenko, Loyola Marymount, Soph.
Eva Marie Voracek, Loyola Marymount, Soph.
Sophie Whittle, Gonzaga, Sr.
*Seven members due to a tie in voting