Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh returns from layoff to host Army in PL opener
3/23/2010 9:15:00 AM | Women's Tennis
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Following a one-month layoff, the Lehigh women’s tennis team returns to action Wednesday when the Mountain Hawks welcome the Black Knights of Army to the Lewis Tennis Center in the Patriot League opener for both teams. Lehigh has been off since dropping a tightly contested 4-3 match to Towson on February 23 and the Mountain Hawks will be looking to start the second half of their season on a winning note after dropping six of their first seven matches.
Lehigh was picked fourth in the Patriot League preseason poll as the Mountain Hawks will be looking to reach their seventh straight Patriot League semifinal and take the next step to compete for a league championship.
The Mountain Hawks have struggled in the early part of the spring season with just a win over Marist in seven spring outings. Freshman Patricia Muething has led Lehigh in the early season with a 3-4 singles record and a 3-4 doubles mark playing alongside senior Stacey Reich at No. 2 doubles. Lehigh will also look to get senior Julie Arthofer and sophomore Liz Piscitelli going after slow starts to their seasons.
Wednesday’s opponent Army has been the dominant Patriot League women’s tennis team for the last eight years. The Black Knights have won the last five Patriot League championships and have won 37 straight league regular season matches dating back to 2002.
Army has had ten days off since posting wins over Rhode Island and Niagara on March 13 and 14. The Black Knights are 13-6 overall but have won eight of their last nine matches, with the lone setback coming against Rutgers. Army features the two-time defending Patriot League Player of the Year in Annie Houghton who plays at No. 1 singles and teams with Kristin Beehler at No. 1 doubles.
The Black Knights hold a commanding 21-2 lead in the all-time series including a 6-1 win last year at West Point, N.Y. Arthofer accounted for Lehigh’s only point with a win at No. 3 singles.
Wednesday’s match gets underway at 3 p.m. from Lehigh’s Lewis Tennis Center.
