PAC Release

TRAFFORD, Pa. -- For the fourth consecutive year, the Allegheny College women's tennis team was picked No. 1 in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) preseason coaches' poll, announced Friday by the conference.

The Gators, who have finished first in every preseason poll since joining the PAC ahead of the 2022-23 campaign, earned a maximum of eight first-place votes and 64 points. Grove City College received the final first-place vote and finished second with 55 points, followed by Fransican University – a PAC tournament finalist a year ago – with 48 points. 

Winners of 24 consecutive regular-season matches against PAC opponents, the Gators have their sights set on a third PAC championship in the last four years. Last season, they swept Westminster College in the semifinals before securing a thrilling 4-3 victory over Franciscan in the championship match.

Friday's announcement from the PAC also included players to watch for the upcoming season. Five Gators were featured, including a trio of returning All-PAC honorees: juniors Rei Etsumi (Honolulu, Hawaii/President William McKinley) and Emiliia Grydnieva (Kyiv, Ukraine/Optima) and senior Maria Lounder (Pittsburgh, Pa./Moon Area). First-year players Gabrielle Bassette (Miami, Fla./Miami Country Day School) and Giada Palmieri (Berlin, Germany/Paulsen Gymnasium) were also included.

Led by PAC Coach of the Year Dave Hayden, the women's tennis team will open the 2025-26 season at the Robertson Athletic Complex with the Allegheny Invitational, a two-day event on Saturday, August 30, and Sunday, August 31.