Jan. 26, 2012

The Tennessee Volunteers were picked to finish fifth in the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division in the coaches poll, the conference office released Thursday.

The Vols (2-1), back-to-back Southeastern Conference champions, feature a brand-new team in 2012.

Tennessee, currently ranked 24th nationally, has started four freshmen in all three matches this season with Mikelis Libietis playing at the top of both the singles and doubles lineups. The only returning starter is junior Edward Jones, a mainstay in doubles and entering his second year in the singles lineup.

Georgia was voted as the overall champion and Eastern Division champion with 63 points. Kentucky was one point behind with 62 points, while Florida was third with 54 points. The remainder of the East was: 4. Vanderbilt (30 points), 5. Tennessee (28 points), 6. South Carolina (18 points).

In the West, Mississippi State was voted as Division Champion with 68 points. The rest of the West was: 2. Ole Miss (63 points), 3. Auburn (47 points), 4. LSU (36 points), 5. Alabama (26 points), 6. Arkansas (13 points).

The preseason poll is voted on by the men's tennis head coach at each institution and is based on a 6-5-4-3-2-1 count in each division. They also vote for the overall champion, with each vote counting as one point.

2012 Men's Tennis Coaches Preseason Poll
Eastern Division (Points)
1. Georgia (63)
2. Kentucky (62)
3. Florida (54)
4. Vanderbilt (30)
5. Tennessee (28)
6. South Carolina (18)

Western Division (Points)
1. Mississippi State (68)
2. Ole Miss (63)
3. Auburn (45)
4. LSU (36)
5. Alabama (26)
6. Arkansas (13)

Overall Regular Season Champion: Georgia (7 points); Kentucky (3) Florida (2).