MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Middle Georgia State edged out Loyola (La.) and William Carey (Miss.) for the top spot in the 2023-4 SSAC Women's Tennis Coaches' Preseason Poll. Each of the three teams received multiple first-place votes in a tight race.

2023-24 SSAC Women's Tennis Coaches' Preseason Poll

1. Middle Georgia – 56 (2)

2. Loyola – 55 (3)

3. William Carey – 52 (3)

4. Mobile – 40

5. Blue Mountain – 30

6. Dillard – 28

7. UT Southern – 19

8. Point - 8

Tom Bates, Middle Georgia Head Coach: "It is an honor for us to be the favorite this season! The competition in the SSAC is so deep, there are no easy matches, each week every team brings out their best. With new teams in the conference this year it will be an exciting season for all of us. We cannot wait for the spring to get here!"

SSAC Championship

New this year, all eight teams will qualify for the conference tournament April 24-26 in Montgomery, Ala. Previously the top two seeds received byes, but this year all eight will play on day one. 

Additional Notes

·      UT Southern and Point enter their first year of competition in the SSAC, while Dillard continues as an affiliate member

·      Last year's final NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll featured No. 7 Middle Georgia, No. 12 Mobile, No. 15 Loyola, No. 16 William Carey, RV Dillard and RV Blue Mountain

·      The last three regular season conference titles have been won by three different teams, with the Knights claiming the 2023 title and the Crusaders winning the tournament title