Buena Vista, VA – The USA South Athletic Conference women's tennis coaches have released the 2026 preseason poll, with defending conference champion N.C. Wesleyan selected to finish first, followed by Pfeiffer and Southern Virginia. Head coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams in the balloting.
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2026 USA South Coaches Preseason Women's Tennis Poll
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Rank
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Institution (1st Place Votes)
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Points
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1.
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N.C. Wesleyan* (4)
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23
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2.
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Pfeiffer (1)
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20
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3.
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Southern Virginia (1)
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18
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4.
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Methodist
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15
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5.
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Salem
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8
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6.
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Meredith
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6
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*Defending Regular Season & Tournament Champion
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The Knights enter the season after advancing to the conference championship match a year ago, where they fell to the Battling Bishops of N.C. Wesleyan. Now, Southern Virginia returns to the court with a retooled roster and a strong incoming freshman class, aiming for another deep run in conference play.
The program will look to replace the production and leadership of four-time All-Conference First Team selection Paula Snelson and two-time All-Conference honoree Jillian Arnold. With seven freshmen joining the squad, the Knights are counting on their newcomers to make an immediate impact as they blend with returning talent.
Southern Virginia opens the 2026 campaign on the road at Randolph College on Saturday, February 21, with first serve scheduled for 1:00 PM.
For the latest updates on Southern Virginia University women's tennis, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knightwtennis on Instagram.
