January 30, 2008
USA South Announces Preseason Polls
Golf, lacrosse, softball, and tennis released today

FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The USA South Conference office released the preseason polls today for the remaining spring sports.  Baseball was released earlier this month.  The polls are based on votes from each conference member's head coach without voting for themselves.

The defending USA South Champion Methodist men's golf team has been picked to defend their conference title this season.  The Monarchs received all six first place votes from their opponents.  Last year, the Monarchs won their fifth consecutive USA South title and 25th overall. Head coach Steve Conley returns all five golfers from last year's championship and enters the spring season ranked first in the most recent GCAA poll. The final team roster will be determined through tryouts this weekend with the first tournamnet scheduled at the Old North State Club Feb. 18-19.

The Methodist softball team has also been picked as the USA South favorite receiving 68 points in the voting.  The Monarchs received six first place votes and ranked ahead of Greensboro's 73 points finishing second in the voting.  Last season, Methodist finished second in the regular season, but won the USA South Tournament to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA First Round Tournament. The Monarchs return six field starters and two pitchers including 2007 Second Team All-American Rebekah Kelly. Methodist will travel to Guilford for their first games on Feb. 24.

The Monarchs' women's tennis team tied for first in the preseason poll with Christopher Newport University. Both teams received 77 points and five first place votes in the ten team conference. Methodist finished second in the regular season, but knocked off Christopher Newport in the Tournament to win their first Tournament Championship. The team won their first postseason match and finished with the most wins in a season (19) in team history. All six starters from last year's team return for 2008 with freshman Kaitlin Flaherty ranked in the fall ITA regional poll. The Methodist women will head just down the road to take on Fayetteville State in their first match Feb. 9.

The Methodist men's tennis team is ranked second in the preseason poll just behind Christopher Newport. The Monarchs received 30 points and two first place votes. In 2007, the men tied for the regular season championship and won the tournament title to receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Brothers Andrew and Chris Fletcher are ranked regionally in doubles while Chris is ranked 14th nationally in singles. The Monarchs first match is scheduled at Mount Olive Feb. 9.

Head coach Wylie Crisanti returns for his second season with the Methodist lacrosse team. The Monarchs finished third in the USA South last season with a 6-11 overall record. The conference has selected Methodist third again this season behind Christopher Newport and Greensboro. The Monarchs received ten points in the voting placing them ahead of Ferrum and Shenandoah. Seven letterwinners return this season with the Monarchs' first game scheduled at St. Andrews Feb. 20.

To read more about the preseason polls and to see the entire voting results visit: http://www.usasouth.net/