Valparaiso University's women's tennis team has been selected to repeat as Mid-Continent Conference champions in 2006 according ton the preseason poll voted upon by the league's head coaches.

Head coach Tim Maluga's squad garnered 63 points, including seven of the nine first place votes, to finish six points ahead the IUPUI in the balloting. Last year, Valpo won its first ever Mid-Con Tournament title in women's tennis advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history.

Oral Roberts and Southern Utah were picked to finish third followed by Western Illinois and Oakland. Chicago State was tabbed seventh with Centenary and UMKC rounding out the poll.

First place votes earned eight points in the poll on a scale that saw one point issued for an eighth place pick. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.

The Crusaders will open up their 2006 regular season on Saturday, January 21 as Valpo entertains Chicago at Matchpoint Tennis Club. The match is slated to begin at 4:30 p.m.

2006 Mid-Continent Conference Preseason Poll
Team - Points
1. Valparaiso (7) - 63
2. IUPUI (2) - 57
t-3. Oral Roberts - 43
t-3. Southern Utah - 43
5. Western Illinois - 31
6. Oakland - 30
7. Chicago State - 27
8. Centenary - 21
9. UMKC - 9
(First place votes in parentheses)