Fayetteville, N.C. - The USA South Athletic Conference has released its preseason coaches polls in the sports of tennis and golf. NCWC men's tennis was tabbed the East Division favorite, while the Bishop women were picked second and golf sixth in their respective polls.
In men's tennis, second-year head coach Dustin Hale's squad was picked to be the East Division favorite after capturing both the USA South Regular Season and Tournament crowns last spring for the eighth consecutive season. Hale returns 11 letterwinners from a squad that was a perfect 10-0 in league action, including two-time All-Conference performer Sebastian Sikh and reigning league Rookie of the Year Ioannis Brokakis. The two hope to continue the program's win streak versus conference opponents, which currently stands at 78 matches dating back to the 2009 season.
The Bishops received 25 total points and five first place votes, while Methodist University was second with 20 points. Wesleyan opens its men's tennis slate on February 25th versus Sewanee at the University of Mary Washington.
In women's tennis, Hale's squad was picked to finish second in the East Division after earning 43 points and three first place votes. Methodist University edged out Wesleyan with 47 points and five first place votes, while Covenant College was selected as the favorite in the West Divison.
Hale returns five letterwinners from last spring, led by All-Conference performers Stephany Barbera, Florencia Sorrentino, Ana Diaz, and Andrea Tobar. The addition of talented newcomers will likely help the Bishops improve on last year's 12-6 record, which saw them go 10-2 in conference play. The NCWC women open their season on March 1st at Elizabeth City State University.
In golf, head coach Gregg Ripke enters the spring with high expectations after a strong fall season that saw his Bishops post a top-5 finish in every event they attended. Wesleyan will be led by upperclassmen Grady Anderson and David White, while freshman Mariano Silvestri provided a boost to the fall roster with a team-best 74.3 stroke average.
Perhaps the biggest adjustment for Ripke this spring will be the loss of assistant coach Allen-Michael Wilson, who was recently named head golf coach at nearby Southern Nash High School, his alma mater. A four-year letterwinner for the Bishops, Wilson stayed on as Ripke's assistant for the past three seasons and has been an instrumental part of the program's growth. While he hates to say farewell, Ripke could not be happier for his former player and colleague, stating, "All of this couldn't have happened to a nicer, more conscientious man! I am proud to have coached him all four years and will continue to coach him in his new role."
Huntingdon College was picked to win the title after posting a runner-up finish at the NCAA Division III National Championship last spring. The Hawks received ten of 11 first-place votes and 100 points overall. Huntingdon and Wesleyan competed in just one common tournament this fall, with the two squads tying for 4th-place at Berry's Chick-Fil-A Intercollegiate. NCWC, which received 49 points in the poll, opens its spring schedule on February 25th at the Sandhills CC Invitational.