The University of Mississippi Athletics
Women's Tennis Picked To Defend SEC West Title
1/13/2006 | Women's Tennis
Jan. 13, 2006
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Ole Miss women's tennis team was picked to defend their Southeastern Conference Western Division title in the 2006 Preseason Coaches Poll released Friday.
The Lady Rebels won their first ever SEC West title in 2005, defeating arch-rival Mississippi State in the final regular season match to clinch the championship.
"The SEC is always tough, and this year will be no different," head coach Mark Beyers said. "One of our first goals every year is to win the SEC West. We are looking forward to defending our title, and hopefully in the process, becoming one of the top teams in the league."
Florida beat out Georgia in the Eastern Division and was selected as the overall champion. Arkansas finished second in the voting in the West, followed by Alabama, LSU, Mississippi State and Auburn. Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky, round out the Eastern Division.
The Lady Rebels return five of the top six from last year's squad and have added two talented newcomers. Virginia Tomatis, the lone senior on the squad, is ranked No. 89 in singles, and junior Ilona Somers is ranked No. 100. The two are ranked No. 14 in doubles.
The Lady Rebels will begin the season Jan. 28 when they host Tennessee-Chattanooga at 1 p.m. at the Gillom Sports Center.
2006 WOMEN'S TENNIS SEC PRESEASON COACHES POLL
Eastern Division
1. Florida 59
2. Georgia 47
3. Vanderbilt 39
4. South Carolina 32
5. Tennessee 21
6. Kentucky 12
Western Division
1. Ole Miss 53
2. Arkansas 48
3. Alabama 44
4. LSU 29
5. Mississippi State 20
6. Auburn 16
Overall Regular Season Champion: Florida
