C-N nabbed seventh in SAC preseason tennis polls
ROCK HILL, S.C.—The Carson-Newman women’s tennis team was tied for seventh in 2016 preseason All-South Atlantic Conference poll, as the league office released the standings Thursday morning.
ROCK HILL, S.C.—The Carson-Newman women's tennis team was tied for seventh in 2016 preseason All-South Atlantic Conference poll, as the league office released the standings Thursday morning.
"Polls are polls and based off of where we were last spring, that's probably about right," coach Jean Love said. "Preseason polls really have nothing to do with this season because we have two different teams now. We have some really good recruits, as well as returners, who are going to help us out this season."
The Eagles, who finished 2015 with a 4-12 overall record (4-7 SAC) wrapped up the season in 8th-place in the final league standings and will look to three seniors to lead the way back up into the top-tier this year in 2016.
Carson-Newman's three seniors for 2016 will be Haleigh Chastain (Knoxville, Tenn.), Patricia Guerreiro (Portugal) and Brooke Sanderson (Evans, Ga.). The trio accounted for 27 single wins in 2015 and will lend an experienced hand to eight underclassman this season which feature four incoming freshman.
Hannah Ayers (Woodstock, Ga.), Ali Harris (Crossville, Tenn.) and Gabrielle Wood (Woodstock, Ga.) will join forces with returning sophomores Catherine Cook (Morristown, Tenn.), Jill Corsato-Owsianka (Germany), Mallory Jackson (Ewrin, Tenn.) and Sydney Ledington (Corbin, Ky.) as Carson-Newman's underclassmen.
Guerreiro was Carson-Newman's most consistent player in 2015 and was named Honorable Mention for the SAC at the end of the season for her part in doubles play. Guerreiro linked up with teammate Jenn Ott for 15 wins in doubles play, eight of which came from conference matches. The senior also won 15 contests in singles play as the team's No. 3 player a season ago.
"We have a good mix of experience, leadership and newness, with some talent, and that's going to be very helpful this year," Love said.
The Eagles are picked to end 2016 tied for seventh in the SAC with Lincoln Memorial after accumulating 64 points. The two come right after Coker in the sixth spot (68 points), and Newberry (94 points) and Anderson (99 points) at No. five and four, respectively.
Tusculum slides in at the third position after tallying one first-place vote and Queens takes the second spot with two-first place votes.
Reigning conference champions Wingate was picked by league officials as the favorite to win the SAC once again. The bulldogs wrapped up nine of the 12 first-place votes.
"What we can control is the effort you give on a daily basis and what you are trying to do and execute on the court," Love said. "I think we are going to play better tennis this season."
Carson-Newman will travel to Newberry on Feb. 10th to kick off the 2016 season.
|
Team |
Points |
| 1. Wingate (9) |
131 |
| 2. Queens (2) |
128 |
| 3. Tusculum (1) |
117 |
| 4. Anderson |
99 |
| 5. Newberry |
94 |
| 6. Coker |
68 |
| 7. Lincoln Memorial Carson-Newman |
64 64 |
| 9. Lenoir-Rhyne |
59 |
|
10. Catawba |
44 |
|
11. Mars Hill |
43 |
|
12. Brevard |
17 |
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