The 2018 Great Midwest Athletic Conference women's tennis season saw the Hillsdale College Chargers take the league by storm, running through all competition to capture the regular season and tournament championships. Conference coaches see more of the same happening in 2019.
The Chargers were a near-unanimous pick to repeat as G-MAC champions in the 2019 preseason coach's poll, released Thursday. Hillsdale received seven of a possible eight first-place votes. Walsh and conference newcomer Tiffin tied for second with 39 poll points each, with the Cavaliers receiving the other first-place vote in the poll.
A glance at Hillsdale's roster reveals why the team is such a heavy favorite to repeat as champions. Everyone is back from last year's senior-less team, led by defending conference player of the year Halle Hyman and freshman of the year Hannah Cimpeanu. Julia Formentin, Corinne Prost and Madeline Bissett join Hyman in a powerful senior class. Junior Kamryn Matthews won a program-high 30 matches last year, and junior Katie Bell has beena fixture at the top flights throughout her Charger career.
Freshman Sarah Hackman is one of three newcomers to the team this year and already has a G-MAC Player of the Week honor under her belt this year.
Hillsdale opens the 2019 season at home Sunday, taking on Davenport University.
POLL RESULTS
| 1. | Hillsdale (7) | 49 |
| 2. | Walsh (1) | 39 |
| 2. | Tiffin | 39 |
| 4. | Findlay | 32 |
| 5. | Davis & Elkins | 25 |
| 6. | Cedarville | 18 |
| 7. | Kentucky Wesleyan | 13 |
| 8. | Ursuline | 9 |