BURNSVILLE, MINN. -- The University of Sioux Falls Women's Tennis Team, which returns its entire starting lineup and has added some talented newcomers, has been picked to finish fifth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches Poll which was released by the league office on Tuesday, Feb. 2.

USF, which finished 8-5 a year ago before the CoVID-19 pandemic ended the season and advanced to the semifinals of the NSIC Championships in 2018-19, received 72 total points. USF received six more points in 2021 than a year ago and also moved up a spot in the preseason coaches projections.

"What excites me about this year's team is their drive and desire to improve each day," said USF Head Tennis Coach Kevin Grebin, who will again be assisted by Kevin Plank. "After what we have all gone through since last March, it is wonderful to see their positive attitude, and teammate support. It is truly a wonderful team to be associated with," he said.

Augustana received 11-of-12 first place votes and 121 points as the pick by the coaches to win the league. MSU Moorhead earned one first place vote and 102 points and was projected to take second with Winona State, third at 92 points and followed by U-Mary, 83; and Sioux Falls.

Poll Results – 1. Augustana (11), 121; 2. MSU Moorhead (1), 102; 3. Winona State, 92; 4. U-Mary, 83; 5. Sioux Falls, 72; 6. Bemidji State, 68; 7. Minnesota Duluth, 64; 8. Upper Iowa, 51; 9. Minnesota State, 48; 10. Southwest Minnesota State, 38; 11. St. Cloud State, 34; and 12. Minnesota Crookston, 19. The preseason coaches' poll is based off each coach ranking each team from 11 to 1 with the top team receiving 11 points, second 10, third 9, etc.

Preview: With the return of nearly its entire starting lineup, the USF Tennis Team will look to achieve a top division finish in the NSIC in 2021. A year ago, USF finished with an 8-5 overall record and a 4-2 league mark before their season ended. USF, directed by veteran Head Coach Kevin Grebin, returns players who combined for 83.7 percent of their single wins and 95 percent of the double wins from a year ago.

Led by an NSIC Player to Watch senior Lexi Miller (19-23 in singles, 19-21 in doubles in career) USF will be a veteran squad with five returning seniors and six total upper class student-athletes. Aside from Miller USF also look for senior Megan Quandt (15-31 – 6-3 at No. 1 - in singles, 19-26 in doubles in career), who was the 2019-20 NSIC Player to Watch, senior Joelle Thorfinnson (26-12 in singles, 25-17 in doubles in career), senior Rachel Klatt (8-8 singles, 21-17 doubles in career), junior Emily Applegate (6-3 singles, 2-6 in doubles in career), and senior Victoria Ambrosio-Cueto (7-14 singles, 7-12 doubles in career) to provide leadership.

Others expected to contribute include sophomore Allison Eichacker (1-2 singles and 4-2 doubles in career), and sophomore Peyton Forney (2-3 singles, 4-6 doubles in career). Newcomers making an impact will include freshman Talia Janos, Danielle Thorfinnson, and Rhianna Cantine.

A year ago, USF, which opens the season at D1 Creighton in Omaha, Neb., on Feb. 6, finished 43-33 in singles with 33-15 record before the CoVID-19 pandemic ended the 2020 season. USF was also 21-17 in doubles with a 16-7 league record.