By Noah Fulks, YJ sportswriter
The WVSU women’s tennis team — winningest athletic program on campus — host the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional this weekend at Coonskin Park
The #2 Yellow Jackets face #7 Shaw at 10 a.m. Saturday. #3 Mercyhurst will play #6 West Liberty in the other semifinal at 1 p.m. The finals are Sunday at 1 p.m.
The top singles performer for the Yellow Jackets is Junior Laura Isbey — ranked as high as #71 in NCAA D2 women’s tennis rankings and was the MEC Player of the Year for the second consecutive year last year.
The top doubles duo for the Yellow Jackets is Senior Nina Dillwald and Sophomore Kierstin Hensley. The duo have been ranked as high as #9 in the NCAA D2 Women’s Tennis Doubles Rankings.
Mercyhurst enters the tournament with only one loss on their season coming to the same team that handed the Yellow Jackets, Atlantic Region #1 Indiana University of Pennsylvania, or IUP.
West Liberty finished third in the MEC standings last fall and gave the Yellow Jackets a tough match with the Yellow Jackets winning 5-4.
Shaw comes to Charleston after winning the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, or CIAA, conference championship.
“Getting to host the regional tournament for the first time is a huge honor,” said Coach Simms. “This team worked very hard and we hope our fans turn out and support the team”
The Yellow Jackets finished the season with an overall record of 13-9, with an in-region record of 13-1.
No previous State women’s tennis team hosted the regionals, the first round of the national championship in division II.
