Men's Tennis | 1/24/2013 1:22:00 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The USA South released its men's and women's tennis preseason coaches' poll on Wednesday afternoon and the Methodist men's team was tabbed to finish third, while the women's team earned the top spot in the annual survey of league head coaches.
 
The Methodist women's team, winners of each of the last three USA South Tournaments, garnered eight first-place votes en route to a total of 118 points and the poll's top spot. Meredith, which shared the regular-season crown last season with MU and N.C. Wesleyan, earned the second spot in the poll with three first-place votes and 113 points. Christopher Newport took home the final first-place vote and was third with 97 points followed closely by N.C. Wesleyan with 93 points. Piedmont rounded out the Top 5 with 69 points and Maryville (65), Greensboro (59), LaGrange (41), Ferrum (39), Mary Baldwin (38), Averett (31) and William Peace (29) completed the poll.
 
The Monarchs finished last season with an overall record of 22-4 (8-1 USA South) and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling, 5-0, to Emory.
 
On the men's side, N.C. Wesleyan, winners of each of the last four USA South regular-season and tournament crowns, was picked to defend its title as it earned eight first-place votes for a total of 64 points. Christopher Newport was picked second with 53 points and Methodist was right behind with 47 total points. Averett, which garnered the final first-place vote, was picked fourth with 46 points and Piedmont capped the Top 5 with 38 points. LaGrange (24), Maryville (19), Greensboro (17) and Ferrum (16) completed the poll.
 
Methodist wrapped up the 2011-12 season with an overall record of 17-5 (4-2 USA South), the most wins in a single season since 1992.
 
The men's team will kick off its spring schedule on Feb. 16, when it hosts Guilford at 1:00 pm and the women begin their title defense on Feb. 9 as it hosts Fayetteville State at 1:00 pm.