Fayetteville, NC – The USA South announced the women’s tennis preseason coaches' poll today with defending USA South conference tournament champion Christopher Newport University at the top. Christopher Newport received six of the eight first-place votes for 48 points.

Methodist University finished second with 44 points and two first-place votes. Shenandoah University and Greensboro College tied for the third place spot, each with 31 points.

Peace was picked just below Shenandoah and Greensboro at 5th with 29 votes. The Pacers tennis team finished last season at 7-12 overall, 4-3 in the USA South. Peace will return 4 players from last season’s squad, while only loosing two players. Seniors Eliza Bridgers, Anna Jane Hesmer and Lucy Mauney will be counted on to lead the Pacers this season. Bridgers finished last season at 6-13 overall, 1-6 in the USA South at the #2 flight singles spot. In doubles action, Bridgers and teammate Anna Jane Hesmer, compiled an overall record of 5-10 and managed to a 4-3 record in the USA South. Hesmer played at the #3 flight singles spot last season and was 5-10 overall, 4-3 in conference play. Lucy Mauney played the majority of her matches at the #6 flight singles where she went 3-6, 3-1 in USA South action.

The first match of the 2006-07 season will be played at North Carolina Central University (NCAA Division II) in Durham, NC on Thursday, February 22, 2007.

2007 USA South Women's Tennis Coaches Poll
Rank Institution (1st place Votes) Pts.
1. Christopher Newport (6) 48
2. Methodist (2) 44
t-3. Shenandoah 31
t-3. Greensboro 31
5. Peace 29
6. Ferrum 18
7. N.C. Wesleyan 13
8. Averett 10