Feb. 15, 2011

SAN BRUNO, Calif.- The University of San Diego women's tennis team has been tabbed to finish third in the West Coast Conference this season, according to the WCC Preseason Coaches' Poll released on Tuesday, Feb. 15th. The Toreros received 37 points overall, coming in behind conference-favorite Saint Mary's, who garnered five first-place votes and 47 points overall, and second-place Pepperdine, who had three first-place votes and 45 points overall.

This year's top-three teams reflect the order in which they finished last season as the Gaels took home the 2010 WCC crown.

Behind USD in the poll was Santa Clara and Loyola Marymount, who gathered 30 and 24 points, respectively, followed by San Francisco at sixth place, with 17 points, Portland at seventh place with 15 points and Gonzaga rounding it out with nine points.

Sophomore Laura Claus was the only Torero selected to the preseason All-WCC team, which also included three representatives from Pepperdine and two from Saint Mary's. Claus, an All-WCC second-teamer in 2010, joins the Waves' Ali Walters, Anamika Bhargava, and Arianna Colffer on the preseason team, in addition to the Gaels' Alex Poorta and Catherine Isip.

2011 WCC Women's Tennis Preseason Poll
1. Saint Mary's - 47 (5)
2. Pepperdine - 45 (3)
3. San Diego - 37
4 . Santa Clara - 30
5. Loyola Marymount - 24
6. San Francisco - 17
7. Portland - 15
8. Gonzaga - 9
(First place votes)

2011 Preseason All-Conference Team
Alex Poorta, Saint Mary's, Senior
Ali Walters, Pepperdine, Junior
Anamika Bhargava, Pepperdine, Senior
Arianna Colffer, Pepperdine, Sophomore
Laura Claus, San Diego, Sophomore
Catherine Isip, Saint Mary's, Sophomore