TEMPE, Ariz. – The Hawai'i Pacific University women's tennis team begins the 2023 campaign with a No. 4 ranking in the Preseason Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division II Women's Tennis Coaches Poll.
The Sharks, the defending West Regional Champs, and NCAA Division II Quarterfinalist, finished with a 17-9 record in the 2022 season.
HPU finished its fall campaign with multiple players in the top 50 in doubles and singles.
Elodie Busson (No. 3),
Marleen Tilgner (No. 10), and
Mihoki Miyahara (No. 35) represented the Sharks in the singles poll. The duo of Miyahara/Busson ended the fall season in the No. 2 spot with teammates Tilgner/Wild finishing at No. 16.
Defending Nation Champion Barry (Fla.) is the unanimous choice receiving all eight first-place votes in the Jan. 20 poll. Coming in behind Barry at No. 2 is Nova Southeastern who defeated the Sharks in last year's quarterfinal matchup. Rounding out the top five are Saint Leo (No.3), HPU (No. 4), and Flagler (No. 5).
Other PacWest members represented in the poll include: Azusa Pacific (No. 17) and Point Loma (No. 21), with Biola also receiving some votes.
With the strength of the PacWest in HPU's schedule, they will have another test during the season when they face powerhouse and No. 1 Barry in early March.
HPU kicked off their season this past week with a loss to East Tennessee State, with a matchup this Sunday against San Jose State at 12 p.m. HT
#GoSharks
Others Receiving Votes (Alphabetical): Augusta,
Augustana,
Biola,
Carson-Newman,
Charleston,
Drury,
Harding,
Midwestern State,
Nebraska Kearney,
Southeastern Oklahoma State,
Wayne State
