SAINT PAUL, Minn.: The UW-Superior women's tennis team finished third in its inaugural season in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference in 2018, and is predicted to do the same this season, according to a preseason poll of conference head coaches, released Tuesday.

The Yellowjackets, who, like the men's team, received 38 points in the voting, look to build on a strong debut last year. Under second-year head coach Kolin Dean, UWS boasts a group of seven student-athletes returning for a second season of competition.

Leading the way will be the All-UMAC First Team tandem of junior Allison Tollas and sophomore Emily Wald (Antigo, Wis./Antigo). Tollas and Wald were also named UMAC Athlete of the Week once each in 2018. Tollas was 10-9 in doubles, while Wald went 11-6 in singles play. Sophomore Megan Dulong (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids) is also back and was 9-3 in singles and 7-7 in doubles a year ago.

St. Scholastica topped the poll with 47 points and five first-place votes, followed by Northwestern with 44 points and the remaining three first-place nods.

Martin Luther (29 points) was fourth, Minnesota Morris (24), Bethany Lutheran (22), Crown (12) and North Central (eight) rounded out the poll.

The 'Jackets open the season, hosting Minnesota Duluth at Lydia Thering Fieldhouse Feb. 2 at 11 a.m.