Southeastern Conference coaches pick Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – For second-consecutive season the University of Arkansas Razorback women’s tennis team has been slated by the coaches of the Southeastern Conference to win the Western Division.

“Obviously it’s extremely early in the season and we are in the same position as we were last year with a very talented team,” said Razorback head coach Michael Hegarty. “We still have a whole lot to prove.”

The Hogs are coming off the program’s first ever SEC Western Division title, after being picked to win the division in 2008 by the SEC coaches.

This year Arkansas received 72 votes to win the division, 18 above Auburn in second. The Razorback were also the only team besides Georgia to receive a vote to be the SEC regular-season champion. The Bulldogs were picked to claim the Eastern Division crown with 72 votes, and 11 votes to win the regular season crown.

Arkansas is coming of an 18-10 season, their most wins in season since 1998.

The Razorbacks will begin their quest for another incredible season this weekend when they host a home-stand against Saint Louis, Friday at 5 p.m., and No. 34 Tulsa Sunday at noon.

“Both matches this weekend are challenging because the first dual match of the spring is always a tough one and on Sunday Tulsa will bring in a fantastic team,” Hegarty said.

Arkansas is 4-0 all-time against the Billikens of Saint Louis, and 19-2 overall versus the Golden Hurricane including a, 5-2, road win last season.

Visit ARKANSASRAZORBACKS.COM to view live stats for each of the women’s tennis matches this weekend.

2009 Women’s Tennis Coaches Preseason PollEastern Division1. Georgia 722. Florida 593. Vanderbilt 424. Tennessee 305. South Carolina 266. Kentucky 23Western Division1. Arkansas 722. Auburn 543. LSU 504. Ole Miss 355. Alabama 286. Mississippi State 13Overall Regular Season Champion: Georgia (11 votes); Arkansas (1)