OGDEN, Utah – The Eastern Washington University women's tennis team was selected to finish fourth in the 2019 Big Sky Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the league office on Tuesday morning (Jan. 8). The selection is the highest prediction since the 2010-11 season when the Eagles were picked to finish fifth.
 
EWU received 78 points altogether from the conference coaches. Northern Arizona was selected to finish first with 98 points and eight first place votes, while the defending champions Idaho were picked second with 93 points and three first place votes. The Eagles were edged by Sacramento State who were picked third with 78 points, but edged out Weber State for fifth with 60.
 
The Eagles finished third last year in the conference standings and received the No. 3 seed and first-round bye at the conference tournament after finishing 9-13 overall with a 6-5 record in league play.
 
The 2018 season saw Zoey Nelson earn Eastern's first-ever Co-Big Sky Freshman of the Year award after finishing with a 7-2 singles record in conference play. She was also selected to the All-Big Sky Singles Second Team. Janaya Smith and Rylee Braeden earned Double First Team All-Conference while Stephanie Broussard received Singles Honorable Mention.
 
In addition to Nelson, Braeden and Broussard, Eastern returns four other Eagles from the 2018 squad while welcoming three newcomers. Eastern Washington is coming off of a successful fall season and look to kick off the 2019 season this Saturday, Jan. 12 at Washington State at 5 p.m.
 
The 2019 Big Sky Tournament will be held on April 25-28 in Phoenix, Ariz., with the top-six teams earning a bid.