Anderson, S.C. – The Anderson University women's tennis team has been picked to finish fifth in the South Atlantic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, released by the league office on Thursday morning.

Prior to CoVID halting the 2020 season, the Trojan's won its last three matchups to push the 2020 record to 12-3 overall and 1-2 in South Atlantic Conference play, including a convincing, 6-1, win over No. 17 ranked Tusculum and wins over Peach Belt Conference opponents, Young Harris and August. Director of Tennis Joey Eskridge also reached the 300 combined win milestone with the victory over the Pioneers.

Anderson returns a very talented and experienced group of players, which include five seniors.

"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 was voted as the preseason favorite with one first-place vote and 131 points. Queens was voted second with 138 points, while Tusculum was picked third with one first-place vote and 131 points. Lenoir-Rhyne was voted in at No. 4 with 123 points, followed by Anderson at No. 5 with 110 points.

Lincoln Memorial placed No. 6 with 90 points and Newberry was voted No. 7 with 87 points. Carson-Newman took the No. 8 spot with 83 points, while Limestone was voted No. 9 with 75 points. Catawba followed with 58 points at No. 10, Coker was No. 11 with 55 points, Mars Hill was picked No. 12 with 35 points, and UVA Wise was No. 13 with 29 points.

The Black and Gold open their 2021 season on the road at USC Sumter on Feb. 2^nd.

2021 SAC Women's Tennis Preseason Poll

Rank School (1st place votes) Points

1 Wingate (12) 156

2 Queens 138

3 Tusculum (1) 131

4 Lenoir-Rhyne 123

5 Anderson 110

6 Lincoln Memorial 90

7 Newberry 87

8 Carson-Newman 83

9 Limestone 75

10 Catawba 58

11 Coker 55

12 Mars Hill 35

13 UVA Wise 29

 
2021 SAC Women's Tennis Preseason All-Conference

First Team Doubles

Annie McCullough/Caitlin McCullough, Tusculum

Sasha Davidzenka / Yana Fleyer, Queens

Gemma Southwick / Diana Babinets, Lenoir-Rhyne

Second Team Doubles

Katya Akimenko & Liza Akimenko, UVA Wise

Una Pandurevic/Lauren Laughton, Catawba

Judit Gonzalez Agud & Elisa Aguirre, Newberry

First Team Singles

Annie McCullough, Tusculum

Viktorija Veselinova, Queens

Yana Fleyer, Queens

Ana Carla Resende, Carson-Newman

Sasha Davidzenka, Queens

Gemma Southwick, Lenoir-Rhyne

Second Team Singles

Julia Lopez, Tusculum

Liza Akimenko, UVA Wise

Viktorija Veselinova, Queens

Camilla Ciaccia, Wingate

Caitlin McCullough, Tusculum

Elena Bompieri, Wingate