TEMPE, Ariz. – The Hawai'i Pacific University women's tennis team begins the 2022 campaign with a No. 13 ranking in the Preseason Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division II Women's Tennis Coaches Poll.
The Sharks, the defending West Regional Champion and NCAA Division II Quarterfinalist with a 9-4 record in the Covid shortened 2021 season, were voted 13th in the initial poll of the season, behind Wingate (S.C.) and ahead of St. Mary's (Texas).
Defending National Champion Barry (Fla.) is the unanimous choice for the top ranking, with runner-up Indianapolis second. Central Oklahoma was voted third with Nova Southeastern (Fla.) fourth and West Alabama fifth. Flagler (Fla.) was selected sixth ahead of a seventh place tie between Columbus State (Ga.) and the PacWest's Azusa Pacific. Saint Leo (Fla.) is ninth with a 10 th place tie between West Florida and Lynn (Fla.)
The PacWest is very well represented in the poll. In addition to APU and HPU, Biola is ranked 24th, Academy of Art is 25th with Concordia Irvine and Fresno Pacific receiving votes.
The Sharks have another strong schedule in 2022, facing No. 7 Azusa Pacific as well as four others in the preseason top 10 (No. 2 Indianapolis, No. 4 Nova Southeastern, No. 9 Saint Leo and No. 10 West Florida), in addition to No. 17 Washburn, No. 24 Biola, No. 25 ART U, CUI and FPU. HPU also has matches against NCAA Division I institutions Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State and Army.
HPU opens the season with the Hawai'i Invitational starting on Feb. 11 against No. 7 Azusa Pacific at 4 p.m. at the Kailua Racquet Club.
+++ HPU +++
ITA Division II Women's Coaches Poll
January 20, 2022
| Rank |
School |
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| 1 |
Barry (8) |
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| 2 |
Indianapolis |
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| 3 |
Central Oklahoma |
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| 4 |
Nova Southeastern |
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| 5 |
West Alabama |
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| 6 |
Flagler |
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| T 7 |
Columbus State |
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| T 7 |
Azusa Pacific |
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| 9 |
Saint Leo |
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| T 10 |
West Florida |
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| T 10 |
Lynn |
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| 12 |
Wingate |
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| 13 |
Hawai'i Pacific |
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| 14 |
St. Mary's (Texas) |
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| 15 |
Angelo State |
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| 16 |
Augustana |
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| 17 |
Washburn |
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| 18 |
North Georgia |
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| 19 |
Southwest Baptist |
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| 20 |
Auburn-Montgomery |
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| 21 |
Ferris State |
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| 22 |
Midwestern State |
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| 23 |
Indiana (Pa.) |
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| 24 |
Biola |
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| 25 |
Academy of Art |
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Others Receiving Votes (Alphabetical): Concordia-Irvine), Dallas Baptist, Drury, Fresno Pacific, Harding, Northwest Missouri State, Queens (N.C.), Rollins, Tampa, Charleston (W.Va.)
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