The Lenoir-Rhyne men’s and women’s tennis teams were picked fifth and sixth, respectively, in the 2023 SAC Preseason Poll.

Tusculum was picked to finish atop the conference for men’s tennis with its five first-place votes and 130 total votes while Wingate took the top spot in the poll with 10 first-place votes and 139 total votes.

In 2022, the men’s tennis squad finished with an overall record of 13-8 and a conference record of 9-3, good enough to finish tied for third place in the South Atlantic Conference.

The women’s tennis team last season ended seventh in the conference with an overall record of 15-9 and a conference record of 6-6.

Representing the women’s team, Evgeniya Pugina was named to the All-SAC First Team. Named to 2022 SAC Women’s Tennis All Conference Team last season, Pugina finished with an overall record of 11-6 and recorded a 10-4 record in the second spot of the ladder. In addition, she also registered one of the best conference records of 7-4, tying her with Lucy Whelan for the best mark.

The men’s tennis team will host an exhibition against Gardner-Webb on Jan. 31 before beginning their competitive schedule on Feb. 3 against Barton College in the Florence Invitational. Meanwhile, the women’s tennis team will also start their season in the Florence Invitational as they will face off against Lander University on Feb. 3.