BRISTOL, Tenn. – King University will enter the 2026 women's tennis season with an opportunity to outperform expectations after being selected 13th in the Conference Carolinas Preseason Poll. The rankings, released Friday by the league office, place the Tornado near the bottom of a deep and competitive field led by two recent conference champions.
Lees-McRae College and Erskine College share the top position in the poll, each earning 160 points. Lees-McRae, the defending regular-season and tournament champion, received seven first-place votes, while Erskine collected five after winning the 2024 tournament and sharing the regular-season title that year. Belmont Abbey claimed the remaining two first-place votes and finished third with 130 points. Mount Olive (128) and Francis Marion (116) rounded out the top five.
King earned 30 points in the poll, placing the Tornado ahead of Ferrum and just behind Shorter. While the preseason ranking presents a challenge, it also provides a clear opportunity for the program to climb the standings as the season progresses.
King's Recognized Athletes
Three Tornado players were named to the league's 2026 Players to Watch list:
Their selection highlights the individual talent within the program and signals the potential for meaningful improvement throughout the spring.
A Deep and Competitive Conference Field
The 2026 preseason poll reflects a conference rich with depth and experience. Lees-McRae and Erskine headline the league with championship credentials, while Belmont Abbey and Mount Olive form a strong upper tier. Francis Marion, Barton, Young Harris, and Converse make up a competitive middle group, each returning key contributors capable of producing strong results.
North Greenville, Chowan, Emmanuel, and Shorter add further balance to the field, with King and Ferrum rounding out the standings. With so many programs capable of challenging for position, the upcoming season is expected to feature tightly contested matches from start to finish.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 Conference Carolinas Women's Tennis Championship is scheduled for April 22–25 at the Palmetto Tennis Center in Sumter, South Carolina. As the Tornado prepare for the spring season, the team will look to blend veteran leadership with emerging talent in hopes of outperforming their preseason placement.
