Storm selected seventh in A-R-C preseason poll

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Simpson College women's tennis team was voted seventh in the American Rivers Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the conference office on Friday.

Defending conference champions Luther were voted first, garnering eight of nine first-place votes for a total of 64 points. Coe received the other first-place vote, coming in second with 57 points. Wartburg (45 points) checked in third, just one point ahead of Loras (44 points). Central rounded out the top five, collecting 38 points, followed by Nebraska Wesleyan (30 points) and Simpson (23 points). Buena Vista (13 points) and Dubuque (10 points) rounded out the poll.

The Storm are coming off a season in which they finished 4-4 in conference play, qualifying for the A-R-C Tournament as the fifth seed.

Simpson loses both all-conference performers in Anna Wanek and Emily King, but returns the bulk of the lineup that played in the No. 3 through No. 6 spots in the singles lineups. Senior Donni Kinghorn, who played as high as the No. 2 singles position last season, is one of the leading returners for the Storm. Other returners include sophomore Bella Tranquilino, who mainly played at the No. 4 singles spot last season, and senior Kennedi Wright, who saw action at the No. 1 doubles spot.

Simpson begins its season hosting a doubleheader on Saturday, Sep. 3. The Storm face off against non-conference foe Truman at 9 a.m., before taking on conference opponent Coe later in the day at 1 p.m.

2022 American Rivers Conference Preseason Poll
1. Luther (18-11, 8-0 A-R-C) - 64 points
2. Coe (13-9, 6-2 A-R-C) - 57 points
3. Wartburg (12-15, 4-4 A-R-C) - 45 points
4. Loras (11-7, 5-3 A-R-C) - 44 points
5. Central (11-12, 6-2 A-R-C) - 38 points
6. Nebraska Wesleyan (1-13, 1-7 A-R-C) - 30 points
7. Simpson (4-10, 4-4 A-R-C) - 23 points
8. Buena Vista (2-16, 2-6 A-R-C) - 13 points
9. Dubuque (2-15, 0-8 A-R-C) - 10 points