September 7, 2004

TCNJ PICKED AS WOMEN'S TENNIS FAVORITE
IN POLL OF LEAGUE'S HEAD COACHES

LIONS SEEKING THEIR 21ST CONSECUTIVE NJAC CHAMPIONSHIP

The College of New Jersey has been selected as the favorite to win the 2004 New Jersey Athletic Conference Women’s Tennis Championship in a poll of the league’s head coaches. The Lions, who earned an invitation to the 2004 NCAA Tournament, posted a 14-3 overall record last season.

Under the direction of fifth-year head coach Scott Dicheck, TCNJ has posted an overall record of 45-15. Since the inception of the NJAC women’s tennis championship in 1983, the Lions have captured all 20 of the conference titles. In fact, the TCNJ program has never lost a conference match, posting a lifetime record of 100-0 in NJAC play. The Lions return two all-conference players in junior Jackie Gavornik and senior Katie D’Amato.

Last season’s NJAC runner-up with a 9-1 overall record, Richard Stockton College finished second in the poll. Under the direction of fourth-year head coach and 2003 NJAC Coach of the Year Phil Birnbaum, the Ospreys have posted a 21-8 overall record. Stockton returns two all-conference players in sophomore Kristin Tukel and last season’s NJAC Rookie of the Year, sophomore Victoria Rosenfield.

Ramapo College, the coaches’ dark horse selection, placed third in the poll. The Roadrunners posted a 2003 overall record of 14-4 in their first season under the direction of head coach Roy Inniss. Ramapo returns one all-conference player in senior Andrea Testa.

Montclair State University was selected to finish fourth. In 2004, the Red Hawks will be led by first-year head coach Jeff Brandes.

Kean University was selected to finish fifth in the poll. First-year head coach Evelyn Alfaro will take over as the new leader of the Cougar program.

Rutgers University-Newark was tapped for sixth place in the poll. The Scarlet Raiders will be led by second-year head coach Kevin Morris. Morris also serves as the head coach of the Scarlet Raider women’s basketball program.

Conference newcomer William Paterson University was selected to finish seventh. In the program’s first season of its return to varsity status, the Pioneers will be led by first-year head coach Camille Tontodonati.

Since the NJAC does not sponsor a conference women’s tennis tournament, the NJAC championship will be awarded to the team that finishes with the best regular season record in conference play.