FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Intercollegiate Tennis (“ITA”) released the Division II Women’s Preseason Top 25 Coaches’ Poll, sponsored by Tennis-Point this afternoon.
The Nova Southeastern Sharks, led by Head Coach Doug Neagle, enter the 2024 season ranked second in the poll. NSU is one of four five Sunshine State Conference teams ranked within the top-25 – Barry (1st), Nova Southeastern (2nd), Lynn (3rd), Saint Leo (5th), and Tampa (25th). Full rankings can be found here.
“We have a lot of new ladies on this team, and they are so excited to get the season going. Our team chemistry is so strong right now and we will support each other through the grinding season,” stated Neagle. I feel so many teams are stronger right now and our schedule is very tough. I’m confident our ladies will prepare for and welcome the challenge!”
During the fall, Natalie Espinal and Freya Davies won the ITA Cup Doubles National Championship, the third title in Espinal’s career. The Sharks feature several student-athletes ranked inside the ITA regional and national rankings. Lexie Weir is the highest ranked Shark in the initial ITA singles ranking, checking in as the sixth-rated player in NCAA Division II, while Natalie Espinal (17th) and Freya Davis (33rd) were also recognized. Weir and Espinal are the top ranked doubles tandem in the ITA poll and won the ITA Cup Doubles Title earlier this year.
In the regional rankings, Nova Southeastern has three student-athletes inside the top-five in Lexie Weir (2nd), Natalie Espinal (3rd) and Frey Davies (5th), while Lian Benedejcic is ranked 16th in the South Region. Espinal and Davies are the top-ranked duo in the South region, while Weir and Benedejcic are the fifth-rated.
No. 2 Nova Southeastern begins competition with a Sunshine State Conference matchup against Palm Beach Atlantic on Monday, Februray 5th. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Tennis, be sure to follow on Instagram and X at NSU_WTennis.
