January 27, 2010
Contact: Mike Christie, Assistant Commissioner

Methodist Tabbed As USA South Women's Tennis Favorite

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) - Methodist University, under the direction of fifth-year Head Coach Francie Barragan, was picked to capture the 2010 USA South Athletic Conference women's tennis title in the preseason coaches' poll. Last spring, the Monarchs captured their second consecutive USA South Regular Season title.

Methodist received eight of ten first-place votes and 80 total points as head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting.

Meredith College, the defending USA South Tournament Champions, finished second in the balloting with the remaining two first-place votes and 74 total points while Christopher Newport University rounded out the top-three with 56 points. In fourth place with 45 points was Shenandoah University while Greensboro College finished closely behind in fifth with 42 points.

The 2010 USA South Women's Tennis Tournament will once again be played at the Burlington Tennis Center in Burlington, North Carolina on April 16-18.

2010 USA South Women's Tennis Coaches Poll
Rank	Institution (1st place Votes)	Pts.
1.	Methodist (8)	80
2.	Meredith (2)	74
3.	Christopher Newport	56
4.	Shenandoah	45
5.	Greensboro	42
6.	Averett	41
7.	N.C. Wesleyan	39
8.	Ferrum	30
9.	Peace	27
10.	Mary Baldwin	16