Tuesday, February 22, 2005

NORTH GEORGIA PICKED 6 TH IN SSAC PRESEASON MEN'S TENNIS POLL

Dahlonega, Ga. – North Georgia College & State University is picked to finish sixth this season in the preseason men's tennis coaches poll released by Southern States Athletic Conference officials.

The conference this season looks to be one of the most talented in the nation, with five of the seven teams ranked in the top-25 NAIA preseason poll.

On top of the poll is 2004 champion Auburn University Montgomery with 42 points and all six first place votes. The defending NAIA National Champions have won three of the last four conference championships and are currently ranked second in the nation.

In second place is Shorter with 31 points. With the passing of head coach Walt Attaway this fall, the Hawks look to rebound and are currently ranked 14 th in the nation and finished last season with a trip to the national tournament. SC finished last season in third place in the conference.

Right behind SC, Georgia Southwestern State University took third place with 30 points and is ranked eighth in the nation. After winning the conference championship in 2001, the Hurricanes have finished in second or third place in the conference the past three season and look to jump back to the top of the poll.

Newcomers Berry and Lee took the fourth and fifth spots with 27 and 20 points. Berry is ranked 18 th in the NAIA poll and Lee is ranked 25 th in the poll.

NGCSU took 12 points for sixth place in the poll. The Saints finished last season fourth in the conference. Emmanuel finishes out the poll with six points and finished in seventh place in 2004.

2005 SSAC Preseason Men's Tennis Coaches Poll

School Points

Auburn-Montgomery (6) 42

Shorter 31

Georgia Southwestern 30

Berry 27

Lee 20

North Georgia 12

Emmanuel 6