Tweet #theGAC  RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Following a 2019 season that featured a 25-5 season and an appearance in the NCAA Central Region Championships, Southern Arkansas heads into the 2020 women’s tennis season as the Great American Conference preseason favorite, the league office announced on Thursday.
 
In the program’s first season of competition since 2012, the Muleriders went 6-0 in league play and added a GAC Championship title. They claimed five first-place votes as they bring back all three of their 2019 First-Team All-GAC selections in unanimous pick Joanna Nowakowska, Freshman of the Year Angela Vargas and Simone Simas. Second-Team honoree Lena Milosevic also returns for her sophomore season.
 
Harding placed second in the voting and claimed two first-place votes. The Lady Bisons lost a narrow 4-3 contest to the Muleriders in the final of the 2019 GAC Championships. All-American Rylie Cox returns for her senior season. She posted a 23-4 singles record and a 21-7 doubles record. Lindy Carpenter joined Simas and Vargas as freshmen named to the All-GAC First Team. Hana Folse, a Second-Team pick, comes back for her junior campaign.
 
Arkansas Tech took third in the poll. The Golden Suns must replace three of their four 2019 All-GAC performers. Daniela Baez posted a 12-4 singles mark and a 15-3 doubles record to land on the All-GAC Second Team.
 
Oklahoma Baptist finished fourth. The Bison return 2019 GAC Player of the Year and All-American Kim Moosbacher. She registered a 17-3 singles record from the No. 1 position. Tahlia Walsh also returns after she placed on the All-GAC Second Team.
 
Southeastern Oklahoma State, Henderson State and Ouachita round out the poll. The Savage Storm have a new head coach as Brian Nelson takes over for Shawn Hamil. He inherits a team that returns India Shiaelis, a 2019 All-GAC Second-Team performer.
 
The 2020 regular season begins on Friday, January 31 as Harding and SAU take to the courts. Arkansas Tech starts a day later. The season culminates in Bentonville, Arkansas with the top six teams competing for the GAC Championships.