South Atlantic Conference Release

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Ahead of the spring 2020 campaign, Carson-Newman women's tennis was picked seventh in the South Atlantic Conference preseason poll, as announced by the league Thursday.

"Last year we were picked for 10^th and ended up a point away from fourth (in the standings)," head coach Jim Frederick said. "Our two weakest spots last year, in terms of wins and losses No. 2 and 6 (singles), so we obviously have to improve those two positions, whoever plays them, in terms of wins."

Finishing with 67 votes, C-N improves its standing from last year's preseason poll by two positions and 23 total points. The Eagles went on to finish sixth in the SAC in 2019 with a 9-10 record overall, respectively.

Three schools earned first-place votes in the preseason poll with Wingate selected first, racking up seven first-place votes for a total of 128 points. Entering into the season, the Bulldogs are ranked 11^th in the nation by the ITA.

Tusculum checks in at second place with four first-place nominations and a total of 120 points. The Pioneers earned a top-20 spot in the nation's preseason poll by the ITA, landing at 17^th.

Queens earned a sole first-place vote in the poll, accumulating 116 points in third place overall.

Lenoir-Rhyne, Anderson and Lincoln Memorial round out the top-6.

Five of the ten schools in the Oracle/ITA regional rankings are members of the SAC, with the top-5 in the preseason poll all landing spots in the top-10 of the region.

Frederick spoke to the building of his team from the bottom up heading into this year, something that many schools in the conference have also done to ensure team success.

"They (top SAC schools) go from both ends, they have good top players at No. 1 and 2 (singles) and they have good No. 5 and 6 players," Frederick said. "They win a lot at the top and the bottom. You win matches at this level by winning the doubles (point) and winning at the bottom because the top is so difficult, so competitive."

The season kicks off Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. against Martin Methodist at Knoxville Racquet Club.

2020 SAC Women's Tennis Preseason Poll