Kansas City, MO - Cumberlands women's tennis moves up one spot in the NAIA Coaches' Poll, checking in at 15, the national office announced Wednesday. The Patriots tallied 207 points to be one of the five Mid-South teams named to the poll.  

 The Patriots have gotten off to a strong start, opening the year 5-2. After dropping their match to then #6 SCAD Savannah in the NAIA Women's National Indoor Invitational, UC has gone on a four-match win streak. That run of strong play by Cumberlands has seen them record four consecutive sweeps with one of their victories coming against then #12 William Woods with their other victories coming against Holy Cross, Mount Vernon, and Midway. 

 In doubles play, UC has dominated in the #2 and #3 spots, going 10-2 overall this season. Tessa Gray and Meiri Okuwaki have played their way to a 5-1 record at #2 doubles while Johanna Beckmann and Satsuki Mitani have matched them in the #3 spot.  

 In singles the Patriots have two players still without a loss in Tomomi Nagao at #1 and Mikaela Fros with a 4-0 mark, splitting time at #4 and #5. Hana Shimeno has also had a strong showing in the early going with a 6-1 mark, helping her grab her first MSC Player of the Week honors. 

 Leading the national poll was Georgia Gwinnett with 374 points and 14 first-place votes with Keiser with 362 points in second and Indiana Wesleyan in third with 350 points. MSC rivals Lindsey Wilson is ranked 13th, while Campbellsville is 21st, and Cumberland and Georgetown are both receiving votes. 

 The women's team will see their season continue this weekend, in the Grizzly Open at Georgia Gwinnett, taking on #11 Xavier and #17 Reinhardt.   

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