Anderson, S.C. – The Anderson University men's tennis team has been slotted tied for third in the South Atlantic Conference Coaches' Preseason Poll, released by the conference office on Thursday.
The 2020 Anderson men's tennis team began the CoVID shortened season with eight straight wins, while posting a 13-2 overall record and 2-1 record in conference play. For the first time in program history, the Trojans had a winning record against all three conference members within the region.
The Trojans lost a few key members from the 2020 squad, but have a seasoned group returning mixed in with some extremely talented newcomers.
"I feel really good about our teams this spring," said Director of Tennis Joey Eskridge. "Both teams worked really hard in fall in the classroom and on the court and we have a great group of kids."
"I just look forward to seeing them compete against someone other than themselves for once and hope we remain healthy through the process," added Eskridge.
Wingate has been picked first with 10 first-place votes and 154 total points. Queens earned the No. 2 slot with three first-place votes and 145 points, while Anderson and Lenoir-Rhyne came in at No. 3 with 122 points each. Tusculum placed fifth in the poll with 117 points and Lincoln Memorial was voted No. 6 with 89 points. Limestone came in at No. 7 with 84points, followed by Carson-Newman at No. 8 with 81 points.
Newberry took the No. 9 slot with 74 points and at No. 10 was Coker with 62 points. Catawba placed eleventh with 55 points, while Mars Hill received 38 points at No. 12 and UVA Wise rounded out the poll at No. 13 with 27 points.
The Black and Gold open their 2021 season on the road at USC Sumter on Feb. 2nd.
2021 SAC Men's Tennis Preseason Poll
|
Rank |
School (1st place votes) |
Points |
|
1 |
Wingate (10) |
154 |
|
2 |
Queens (3) |
145 |
|
T3 |
Anderson |
122 |
|
T3 |
Lenoir-Rhyne |
122 |
|
5 |
Tusculum |
117 |
|
6 |
Lincoln Memorial |
89 |
|
7 |
Limestone |
84 |
|
8 |
Carson-Newman |
81 |
|
9 |
Newberry |
74 |
|
10 |
Coker |
62 |
|
11 |
Catawba |
55 |
|
12 |
Mars Hill |
38 |
|
13 |
UVA Wise |
27 |
2021 SAC Men's Tennis Preseason All-Conference
First Team Doubles
Enrico Giacomini / Roy Stepanov, Wingate
Rhodri Atkinson / Josh Lazenby, Lenoir-Rhyne
Carlos Pinedo / Isaac MacMillan, Coker
Second Team Doubles
Leon Huck/Frank Bonacia, Tusculum
First Team Singles
Matt Jones, Wingate
Rhodri Atkinson, Lenoir-Rhyne
Yago Fernandez, Tusculum
Josep Canyadell, Wingate
Paolo Bompieri, Queens
Tolunay Sumer, Wingate
Second Team Singles
Josh Lazenby, Lenoir-Rhyne
Enrico Giacomini, Wingate
Edoardo Bottino, Queens
Leon Huck, Tusculum
Edoardo Cecere, Queens
Christian Della Cioppa, Wingate
