Jan. 16, 2008

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The University of South Carolina women’s tennis team is picked to finish fourth in the Southeastern Conference’s Eastern Division according to Wednesday’s preseason coaches poll.

The Gamecocks are ranked No. 30 in the nation in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s preseason spring poll released last week. Junior Gira Schofield is rated 26th in singles and sophomore Ana Marija Zubori is 73rd. The two form the No. 9-ranked doubles team in the country as well.

South Carolina returns four of its six starters from a year ago and has added three newcomers to its roster. The Gamecocks finished the 2007 season with a 16-7 record and went 8-3 in the SEC, good for a fourth-place finish in the division and overall.

Carolina gets its season underway Jan. 25 when it hosts Troy at the USC Indoor Fieldhouse.

2008 SEC Women’s Tennis Coaches Preseason Poll

Eastern Division
1. Florida
2. Georgia
3. Vanderbilt
4. South Carolina
5. Tennessee
6. Kentucky

Western Division
1. Arkansas
2. LSU
3. Auburn
4. Ole Miss
5. Alabama
6. Mississippi State

Overall Regular Season Champion: Florida (8 votes); Georgia (2); Vanderbilt (2)