ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College women's tennis team was predicted to finish eighth in the MIAC this season, according to the preseason poll released today. The Scots, who were 8-9 overall and placed eighth in the conference with a 3-7 record, received 43 points in the poll, which is voted on by the MIAC's 11 head coaches.

Macalester, coached by Jason Muhl, returns five of the team's top six players from last season. The returning players include seniors Camilla Bendetti (Baltimore, Md./Bryn Mawr School) and Claire Buehler (Houston, Tex./Awty International School), and juniors Emma Baker (Bentonville, Ark./Bentonville), Laurel Hickey (Chatham, N.J./Chatham) and Natali Sorajja (Rochester, Minn./Mayo). Hickey has played at No. 1 singles for the past two seasons, while Baker and Sorajja led the Scots with nine singles victories apiece last year. They also combined to register a doubles record of 11-6.

Carleton was picked first in the poll, followed by Bethel, Gustavus and St. Thomas.

The Scots begin the 2020 season on Feb. 8 against St. Scholastica.

Here is the entire 2020 MIAC preseason poll.

2020 MIAC Women's Tennis Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Carleton - 99 (9 first-place votes)
2. Bethel - 89 (1)
3. Gustavus - 85 (1)
4. St. Thomas - 68
5. St. Catherine - 67
6. St. Olaf - 47
7. Saint Benedict - 46
8. Macalester - 43
9. Saint Mary's - 26
10. Concordia - 20
11. Hamline - 15