Due West, SC - For the fifth consecutive year, Erskine College has earned the top spot in the Conference Carolinas preseason poll as voted on by league head coaches. The Flying Fleet also earned their fifth consecutive preseason national ranking in the Division II ITA National Preseason Poll at No. 42.
Last year Erskine College won their fifth consecutive regular-season and tournament championships but not without some adversity. The Flying Fleet suffered their first conference loss in five years to Lees-McRae College finishing the season at 11-1 and 18-7 overall.
Erskine returns its two top single players in Tessa Rheault (Levis, Quebec, Canada/Ecole Point Levy) and Britton Bignon (Athens, GA/Oconee County H.S.), both earned All-Conference and All-Tournament honors last season. Nikki Miller (Simpsonville, SC/Southside Christian School) also returns in the #6 singles spot. Erskine will need its four outstanding freshmen in Hannah Fisher (Auburn, AL/Lee-Scott Academy), Bridget McKenna (Tampa, FL/Freedom H.S.), Abby O’Reilly (Acworth, GA/Harrison H.S.) and Victoria Stephens (Cummings, GA/South Forsyth H.S.) to contribute significantly this spring for the Flying Fleet to win a 6th consecutive Conference Carolinas Championship.
Lees-McRae College is picked to finish in 2nd place and represents Erskine’s greatest challenge to winning a 6th consecutive conference title. Lees-McRae College received the most first place votes with five. Mount Olive College, receiving one first place vote, is expected to finish in 3rd place. Rounding out the poll (4 through 11) is: Queens, Limestone, Anderson, Pfeiffer, Coker, Barton, Converse, and Belmont-Abbey.
The Fleet open their season at home on February 5th against conference opponent Converse College. First serve is set for 3:00 p.m.