HIGH POINT, N.C. – The Coker College men’s tennis team has been ranked No. 8 in the 2011 Conference Carolinas Preseason Poll as voted on by the conference coaches. The poll, released on Monday, has Lees-McRae picked as the favorite with Queens University of Charlotte in second and Limestone picked third.

The Cobras are looking to turn over a new leaf in 2011with the addition of several new faces. The first and most noticeable change is the addition of new head coach Tim Pleasant. In his first year with the Cobras, Pleasant has already made some big changes with the addition of six new players, all freshmen.

Helping to guide this young squad is a pair of experienced seniors, Juan Vallejo-Gonzalez and Evan Schreiner. Vallejo-Gonzalez was an All-Conference selection in 2010, while Schreiner is entering his third season as a team captain and leader.

The Cobras open their 2011 season on Thursday, Feb. 3 at Newberry College. The dual match will start at 2:00 p.m. at the Newberry Tennis Courts.

 Conference Carolinas Pre-Season Coaches Poll (1st place votes in parenthesis)