FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Shenandoah University women's tennis team is the pre-season No. 7 selection of the USA South Conference coaches in poll results announced Wednesday afternoon.
Shenandoah, which went 2-3 overall last year in an abbreviated season, has 29 points in the poll to come in just ahead of eighth place Mary Baldwin.
Methodist, the 2011 regular season and tournament champion, is picked to repeat. The Monarchs have seven first-place votes and 79 points with 2011 runner-up Meredith earning two first-place votes and 74 points.
Points are awarded on a 9-1 basis and coaches cannot vote for their own teams in the poll.
The Hornets finished sixth in the USA South in 2009-10.
SU opens play this year on February 4 versus Division II Shippensburg in an indoor match contested at Winchester Country Club.
Complete poll:
| 2012 USA South Women's Tennis Coaches Poll | ||
| Rank | Institution (1st Place Votes) | Pts. |
| 1. | Methodist (7) | 79 |
| 2. | Meredith (2) | 74 |
| 3. | Christopher Newport (1) | 64 |
| 4. | N.C. Wesleyan | 59 |
| 5. | Averett | 42 |
| 6. | Greensboro | 39 |
| 7. | Shenandoah | 29 |
| 8. | Mary Baldwin | 26 |
| 9. | Ferrum | 24 |
| 10. | Peace | 14 |