ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Nazareth's women's tennis team has been ranked fourth in the 2010 Empire 8 Pre-season Coaches Poll.

After securing a spot in last year's championship, the tennis team finished their 2009-10 season with a 7-10 overall, 5-3 Empire 8 record.

Paul Waida returns for his sixth season as head coach of the Golden Flyers. Also returning for the 2010-11 season are seniors Sherrita Wilkins and Kelly Noble. Wilkins holds a 7-7 overall singles  record from the 2009-10 season, while Noble posted a 6-2 mark last year.

Ithaca enters the 2010-11 season as the unanimous choice to win the Empire 8 Championship. The Bombers have won five consecutive championships and are the only team in Empire 8 history to win 35 consecutive conference matches.

Nazareth's season opener will be home on September 1st against SUNY Geneseo.