HARTSVILLE, S.C.- Coker women's lacrosse enters the season having been tabbed sixth in the South Atlantic Conference preseason poll. 

The Cobras welcome back a talented core from a team that reached the South Atlantic Conference semifinals in 2015. 

"We had a great season last year and surprised a lot of people, so going into this year my expectations are to return to the final four once again" said Head Coach Chelsea Kent. She added on to that, saying "my hope is to be even better than last year."

Kent will lean on her four preseason all-conference selections for leadership.  Sophomore midfielder Claudia Jenkins was tabbed first team All-SAC, along with junior defender Marabeth Durden. Sophomore attack Haley McCusker was named to the preseason All-SAC second team. 

Jenkins was a sparkplug for the Coker offense during her freshman campaign. The All-SAC honorable mention selection led the team in goals with 46, points with 53, ground balls with 53, won draw controls with 73, shots with 99 and shots on goal with 79. She was named the Astroturf SAC Women's Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week during the week of Feb. 9-15. Jenkins was also named the Female Newcomer of the Year at Coker's Fang Awards.

McCusker, yet another sophomore, played and started in all 17 games for the Cobras. She netted 32 goals and dished out 11 assists for a 43-point season. She took 55 shots on goal, scooped up 44 ground balls and caused eight turnovers. She was also named to the All-SAC honorable mention team. 

"I think that Claudia and Haley will have a target on their back because both players had such outstanding seasons last year, but that has pushed them to work even harder this offseason," said Kent.

Durden had a stellar sophomore season for the Cobras, playing and starting in 16 games. The first team All-SAC selection scored 15 goals and dished out four assists for a 19-point season. She also scooped up 38 ground balls, won 35 draw controls and caused 19 turnovers. She was named the Astroturf SAC Women's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week during the weeks of Feb. 16-22 and March 23-29. She was also named the C.G. Timberlake Female Athlete of the Year at Coker's Fang Awards. 

When asked about Durden, Kent said "Durden is our team leader, and she has her sights set on being the very best and helping the team succeed."

The schedule will be competitive this year, including opening conference play against Lenoir-Rhyne on March 6, a rematch with the team which ended Coker's season in 2015. Kent sees the month of March as the toughest stretch of the season. 

"Spring break looks pretty tough for us just because we have four games in seven days," said Kent. "I'm glad that this stretch is happening in the beginning because it will be a testament to our team's character and strength, throughout the season."

The Cobras begin the stretch with the aforementioned matchup with L-R, followed by a game with Truett-McConnell on March 7. The break ends with home games against Lees-McRae (March 10) and Brevard (March 12).

The Cobras will have a changing of the guard in the cage this season. Coker will turn to freshman Cassie Dodge in goal. A native of Virginia Beach, Va., she was one of the top-ranked goalies in the Hampton Roads League.

  The Cobras open the 2016 campaign Saturday, Feb. 20 when they travel to Shorter. Opening faceoff is set for 1:00 p.m.