Women's Tennis Picked Second in Northeast Conference Preseason Poll

3/8/06 -- The Long Island University women's tennis has been selected to finish second in the Northeast Conference in 2006, according to a poll of league head coaches.

The Blackbirds, who finished in second place a year ago, received one first-place vote. Quinnipiac, the 2005 NEC Champions, were picked to repeat and received eight out of a possible 10 first-place ballots.

A strong group of returning players look to capture the team's first-ever first conference title. Three second team All-NEC selections return, including 2004 Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year Merve Koksal (Ankara, Turkey). Senior Krystina Bachner (Penfield, N.Y.) and junior Xenia Roman Korobochkina (Vera Cruz, Mexico) were also tabbed second-teamers last season.

Jessica Loose (Scheessel, Germany) will also look to make an impact in her senior season. Loose captured the Flight B singles title at the Big Green Invitational in Hanover, N.H. in the spring.

LIU will continue its spring season on Monday, Mar. 13 as they take on Eastern Kentucky in St. Augustine, Fla.