Marauders, Contador ranked in region for first time under Helsel
1/22/2020 3:42:00 PM | Women's Tennis
MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – Following a 6-1 start to the season in the fall, the Millersville women's tennis team earned a No. 8 Atlantic Region ranking in January's Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) poll.
It's the first time the women's team was ranked in the region under head coach Matt Helsel, in the midst of his fourth season at Millersville.
"The women have been coming along, and I was very curious to see how we would be viewed by the region after our fall," Helsel said. "It's quite a compliment to be on there with a great group of programs we haven't been mentioned with in a long, long time. Just being in that group is such a compliment and such a thrill. It means the world to us."
West Virginia State secured the No. 1 Atlantic Region poll spot, followed by the University of Charleston and Salem University. Mercyhurst (4), Slippery Rock (5), Indiana University of Pennsylvania (6), West Chester (9) and Bloomsburg (10) were the other PSAC schools ranked in the region.
In addition, junior Esperanza Contador secured a No. 10 ITA regional ranking. She is the first women's player to earn a regional ranking since 2017, when Katina Jones earned a No. 19 ranking.
"Esperanza has been here a couple months and has already made this kind of impression. She's done a great job," Helsel said. "To have a player ranked in the top 10, it's the first time that's happened in a long time."
The Marauders concluded the fall season with a 6-1 record after defeating Seton Hill on Oct. 13, 6-1. The six victories were already the second-most under Helsel and just three shy of tying last season's win total. Millersville is aiming for a double-digit win total for the first time since the 2004-05 season.
Contador played a large role in Millersville's success. In her first semester dawning the black and gold, Contador went 6-1 in Flight 1 singles action. The junior also won a match in the ITA Atlantic Regional championship singles bracket and advanced to the PSAC Tournament Semifinals.
Contador transferred to Millersville from Southwestern College prior to the start of the season.
"She's very talented and that was very easy to see," Helsel said. "What's not as easy to see is just how tough of a competitor she is. She's got a lot of fire inside and plays with a lot of passion."
Millersville returns to action on Feb. 29 for a matchup against the University of the District of Columbia. The match is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
It's the first time the women's team was ranked in the region under head coach Matt Helsel, in the midst of his fourth season at Millersville.
"The women have been coming along, and I was very curious to see how we would be viewed by the region after our fall," Helsel said. "It's quite a compliment to be on there with a great group of programs we haven't been mentioned with in a long, long time. Just being in that group is such a compliment and such a thrill. It means the world to us."
West Virginia State secured the No. 1 Atlantic Region poll spot, followed by the University of Charleston and Salem University. Mercyhurst (4), Slippery Rock (5), Indiana University of Pennsylvania (6), West Chester (9) and Bloomsburg (10) were the other PSAC schools ranked in the region.
In addition, junior Esperanza Contador secured a No. 10 ITA regional ranking. She is the first women's player to earn a regional ranking since 2017, when Katina Jones earned a No. 19 ranking.
"Esperanza has been here a couple months and has already made this kind of impression. She's done a great job," Helsel said. "To have a player ranked in the top 10, it's the first time that's happened in a long time."
The Marauders concluded the fall season with a 6-1 record after defeating Seton Hill on Oct. 13, 6-1. The six victories were already the second-most under Helsel and just three shy of tying last season's win total. Millersville is aiming for a double-digit win total for the first time since the 2004-05 season.
Contador played a large role in Millersville's success. In her first semester dawning the black and gold, Contador went 6-1 in Flight 1 singles action. The junior also won a match in the ITA Atlantic Regional championship singles bracket and advanced to the PSAC Tournament Semifinals.
Contador transferred to Millersville from Southwestern College prior to the start of the season.
"She's very talented and that was very easy to see," Helsel said. "What's not as easy to see is just how tough of a competitor she is. She's got a lot of fire inside and plays with a lot of passion."
Millersville returns to action on Feb. 29 for a matchup against the University of the District of Columbia. The match is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
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