ROCK HILL, S.C. -Carson-Newman's Women's tennis program was picked fifth in the South Atlantic Conference preseason poll, the league announced on Friday.
The Eagles finished last season with a record of 17-5, which marks their largest win total in over ten years. The Eagles finished with a record of 10-2 in conference play, winning nine out of the last 12 conference matchups.
"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."
The Eagles finished with 103 votes, marking 13 more than last season when they were picked sixth in the conference. After being picked sixth last season, the Eagles finished third in the conference, finishing with just one less win than both Wingate and Queens in conference play.
"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 girls competing after seeing all the hours we have been putting in these past few weeks."
Wingate notched the top spot in the conference earning 139 votes. The Bulldogs received ten first-place votes. Wingate is second in the conference after earning an 11-1 record in conference play but only a 15-9 record overall. Wingate earned the top spot this year after Queens departed from the SAC.
Newberry earns the number two spot with 123 votes and a single first-place vote. Tusculum makes the number three spot with a total of 115 votes and a single first-place vote. Anderson falls into the number four spot with 108 votes and a single first-place vote.
Carson-Newman had three Eagles land preseason All-Conference honors, including Anita Chornei, Summer Reeves, and Natasha Forrest. Forrest earned her second preseason accolade in her career, while Reeves and Chornei are new to the award.
2023 SAC Women's Tennis Preseason Poll
Rank School (First Place Votes) Points
1. Wingate (10) 139
2. Newberry (1) 123
3. Tusculum (1) 115
4. Anderson (1) 108
5. Carson-Newman 103
6. Lenoir-Rhyne 90
7. Limestone 76
8. Lincoln Memorial 71
9. Catawba 56
10. Mars Hill 52
11. Coker 44
12. UVA Wise 20
13. Emory & Henry 17
The Eagles will kick off the season on Feb. 5th when they travel to take on North Georgia University, followed by a matchup with Lander University at Lincoln Memorial University's indoor tennis complex.
