Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
WTEN | Gaels Picked Fifth in WCC Preseason Poll
1/16/2019 12:00:00 PM | Women's Tennis
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
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
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
MBB | Randy Bennett Postgame vs. Northern Iowa, 12-22-25, Presented by University Credit Union
Monday, December 22
MBB | Mikey Lewis Postgame vs. Northern Iowa, 12-22-25 presented by University Credit Union
Monday, December 22
MBB | Saint Mary's vs. Northern Iowa Highlights, 12-22-25
Monday, December 22
MBB | Josh Dent Shamrock Office Student-Athlete of the Week
Monday, December 22
