LEBANON, Tenn. – Cumberland is ranked 18th in the NAIA Women’s Tennis Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll released this week by the national office. The Bulldogs posted a 14-7 dual match mark last season, reaching the NAIA National Tournament for the first time in five years.

Fifth-year head coach Bill McCormick returns four letterwinners from last year’s squad, including Second Team All-American Angelica Sepulveda

The Bucaramanga, Colombia, native finished 17-6 in singles and doubles last season for the Bulldogs, including 15-5 in dual matches in both. She earned Mid-South Conference Freshman of the Year honors as well.

Sophomore Antea Dedić compiled a 14-6 singles mark and 16-4 doubles record after enrolling in January, while junior Alena Gizdić posted nine wins in singles and a 14-5 doubles mark for CU. Senior Tais Lacerda Bezerra contributed seven singles and six doubles victories last season as well.

Cumberland placed second in the Mid-South regular season and conference tournaments and lost to SCAD-Atlanta in the first round of last year’s national Tournament. The Bulldogs open the season February 21 at Belmont University.