Nazareth College Athletics

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Nazareth's women's tennis team is picked to finish fourth in the Empire 8 Conference standings, according to a pre-season poll conducted by the league's head coaches.

Four-time defending champion Ithaca was a unanimous choice to win the title, while Stevens, RIT and Nazareth round out the top four.

The Golden Flyers finished 5-3 in conference matches in 2007 and lost to Stevens, 5-4, in the first round of the Empire 8 Tournament. The Golden Flyers have seven players returning, including first-team all-conference selection Rachel Leonard.

Nazareth opens its 2008 season Saturday at home vs. Stevens at 12 p.m.

2008 Empire 8 Pre-Season Coaches Poll
1. Ithaca.................................64 points
2. Stevens..............................53
3. RIT......................................48
4. Nazareth............................42
5. St. John Fisher.................37
6. Alfred..................................34
7. Hartwick.............................23
8. Elmira.................................15
9. Utica....................................8