ROCK HILL, S.C. -Carson-Newman's Men's tennis program was picked fourth in the South Atlantic Conference preseason poll, the league announced on Friday.
The Eagles finished the season with a record of 14-8, marking their first winning season since the 2009-10 season when the Eagles finished 9-8. Last year, the Eagles finished 8-4 in conference play, good enough for sixth place in the league.
"I think the polls are great motivation for the team and our coaching staff," Coach Felipe Charry said. "We know it will be a long season, and our performance on the court at the end of the season will matter most."
Carson-Newman collected 105 votes, marking 15 more than last year. The Eagles also slid up two spots from last year's selection of sixth place.
"For me, it is very exciting to be at Carson-Newman and to be a part of this program," graduate assistant Sofia Rojas said. "I can't wait to see our guys competing after seeing all the hours we have been putting in these past few weeks."
Tusculum narrowly secures the number one spot with 130 votes, including five first-place votes. Last season, the Pioneers finished with a record of 9-3 in the conference and an overall record of 13-8, good enough for fourth place.
Anderson and Wingate tied for second place with 128 votes each, including three first-place votes for each school. Anderson finished with a 10-2 record in conference play and a 16-7 record overall, good enough for second place in the conference. Wingate finished with a record of 9-3 in conference play and 13-9 overall, good enough for fifth place.
Carson-Newman notches four Eagles with preseason All-Conference awards, including Marc Janse, Marnix Van Dalen, Gjorgji Jankulovski, and Lars Hordijk. Hordijk and Janse also earned second-team doubles All-Conference accolades. Carson-Newman was the only team in the SAC with multiple athletes to make first-team All-Conference.
The Eagles will start the season on Feb. 4th when they travel to Harrogate, Tenn., to take on Belmont Abbey at Lincoln Memorial University's indoor tennis complex. Carson-Newman will travel to North Georgia University on the 5th to take on the North Georgia Nighthawks.
To follow the Eagles' 2022-23 campaign, visit CNEagles.com or Carson-Newman Athletics on social media.
2023 SAC Men's Tennis Preseason Poll
Rank School (First Place Votes) Points
- Tusculum (5) 130
- T-2. Anderson (5) 128
- T-2. Wingate (3) 128
- 4. Carson-Newman 105
- 5. Lenoir-Rhyne 102
- 6. Lincoln Memorial 88
- 7. Limestone 79
- 8. Newberry 60
- 9. Catawba 57
- 10. Coker 56
- 11. Mars Hill 42
- 12. UVA Wise 25
- 13. Emory & Henry 14
