NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk State women's tennis team was predicted to finish fifth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference southern division as voted on by the leagues head tennis coaches and sports information directors, the league announced Wednesday.
NSU went 4-6 overall and 0-4 in MEAC play in 2009 and did not qualify for last year's MEAC Tournament.
The South Carolina State Lady Bulldogs, winners of five consecutive MEAC titles, received 18-of-20 first-place votes for the first place nod. The Lady Bulldogs were 4-0 in MEAC play and 12-4 overall last season. S.C. State returns a young and talented squad including the 2009 MEAC Rookie of the Year Aniko Kiss.
Florida A&M was picked to finish second in the southern division. The Lady Rattlers, who advanced to last year's championship final, were 3-1 in MEAC play and 13-6 overall last year. Bethune-Cookman and North Carolina A&T were picked to finish third and fourth, respectively in the southern division.
Hampton was picked to finish atop the northern division with 20 first place votes. The Lady Pirates posted a 5-0 mark in MEAC play and a 7-6 record overall. Hampton returns reigning MEAC Player of the Year, Na-Hyun Baek, and will welcome two newcomers to this year's team.
The Howard Lady Bison were chosen to finish in second. Delaware State was picked to finish in third followed by Morgan State, Maryland Eastern Shore, and Coppin State.
The 2010 MEAC Tennis Championship tournaments are scheduled for April 16-18 at the Millbrook Tennis Center in Raleigh, N.C.
2010 MEAC Women's Tennis Preseason Predictions
As voted on by the conference's Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors
(First place votes in parenthesis)
Northern Division Points
1. Hampton (20)........................................249
2. Howard (1).............................................182
3. Delaware State......................................172
4. Morgan State..........................................153
5. Maryland Eastern Shore.......................117
6. Coppin State...........................................114
Southern Division Points
1. South Carolina State (18)...................234
2. Florida A&M (2).....................................182
3. Bethune-Cookman..............................162
4. North Carolina A&T..............................136
5. Norfolk State........................................ 126
