DC Women’s Tennis Places Trio on Preseason Watch List

GREENWOOD, Ind. – The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference released its preseason poll and players to watch list for the upcoming women's tennis season on Tuesday. Defiance received 29 points, placing it eighth in the poll. Three Yellow Jackets landed on the Players-to-Watch List.

Juniors Kirsten Wieland, Catie Savage and incoming freshman Bethany Brown were recognized by the HCAC coaches as players who could make an impact on the upcoming conference season for the Yellow Jackets.

Wieland is a junior who brings plenty of experience to the court for the Purple and Gold. The junior has played at the number one singles position for every match as a Jacket, totaling 30 over the last two seasons. The Bryan native has also played one doubles during her freshman and sophomore seasons for DC.

Savage is a returning veteran for the Yellow Jackets this upcoming season. The junior played number two singles and number one doubles with Wieland last season. DC will count on Savage to be a leader on the court for the young squad, as the Jackets have no seniors on the team.

Brown comes to Defiance as a freshman looking to gain experience in her first season as a Jacket. The freshman played number one singles for Maumee last season and will play a pivotal role in the Purple and Gold's success this season.

Transylvania was selected first in the conference receiving 92 total points, including five first place votes. Following the Pioneers were Rose-Hulman (88), Manchester (70), Anderson (70) and Franklin (66).

The Yellow Jackets open up the season against Ohio Northern on September 6 at 5:30 p.m. DC hosts HCAC foe Mount St. Joseph on September 8 at 10 a.m. for the team's first home match of the season. The match will take place at the Dix Tennis Facility.