Demorest, GA - Having already claimed a conference title and posted a runner-up finish in a four year career might satisfy some.  But it doesn't placate the 2014 Piedmont men's tennis graduating class who has the word legacy on the mind when looking at the coming season and a chance to add to an already decorated program something it does not yet have - a USA South championship.

The Lions are already one of the most successful programs in the school's NCAA era and were the most dominant men's tennis team in the history of the Great South Athletic Conference prior to the college's jump to the USA South Athletic Conference, a move which came prior to the 2013 season.  In the twelve seasons competing in the GSAC before that league jump, the Lions won eight conference titles including an unprecedented seven straight from 2001-2007.

The 2011 team that won the program's eighth conference title came on the shoulders of a then-freshman class that now enters their twilight campaign at Burgen Tennis Courts.  That now-senior quartet includes Joel Silverberg, Patrick Steck, Jay Evans, and Chris Davidson, a group that accounted for three of the team's five points which decided Piedmont's 8th conference crown three years ago.

"We've talked a lot with those four guys about finishing strong, about how it's going to be their last year on these courts at Piedmont, and about the tradition they've now been able to help add to with their presence here these last four years," said Wood.  "They've taken that challenge, and they're very excited about going out and playing every match like its their last because literally it is."

The four seniors combined to go 29-19 in singles decisions last season for PC accounting for exactly half of Piedmont's singles wins in 2013, but will get help on the courts from some of the youth on the team as well as junior Trey Martin returns with his 11-5 singles record.  Also returning for an encore season after debuting on the courts in 2013 is sophomore Mason Riza who went 4-3 in singles action and accounted for seven wins at the #3 doubles slot as well.

Given the success of his team, Coach Wood believes it's something his seniors are doing with their younger teammates that has helped to set the tone for the tradition that will follow this successful group, which has a conference title and runner-up finish to their name, long after they depart campus with their degrees this spring.

"They want to leave a great impression their senior year," stated Coach Wood of his seniors' impact on the program.  "They have taken the reins of leadership this year with the newcomers, and are driving the practices, helping us out with competitive roles.  They are all geared up for the start this weekend."

That weekend start features a big matchup on the road at Sewanee-The Unviersity of the South, a team which handed PC an 8-1 loss to start their 2013 season.  However, it's not just the Tigers that will stand in the way of Piedmont achieving championship status again as the Lions will quickly turn their eyes towards a daunting conference schedule while trying to keep their gaze on the prize at the end of the season.

The USA South Preseason Coaches' Poll has the Lions slated to finish 4th in the league, the same spot that Piedmont finished in one year ago.  However, to keep their momentum going from a successful USA South debut in 2013, the experience that the quartet of seniors possesses will have to make up for a key loss at the #1 singles spot with the departure of Koen Gottenbos, Piedmont's top singles player from a year ago. 

However, Head Coach Shane Wood points to that conference schedule as the reason his team can't worry about their losses and must keep continuing to put their best out there on the courts.  With one year under their belts in the USA South, Coach Wood thinks his team can be very competitive in a league that grew even stronger with the additions of Huntingdon College, a three-time GSAC champion, and Covenant College this season.

"The conference again top to bottom is very competitive, we're pleased with the recognition," said Coach Wood of his team's preseason ranking.  "It gives us something to strive for, but being 4th in a conference that is so deep is a good thing for our program.  But it's going to be competitive.  With Huntingdon coming in, and with Covenant coming in, it's going to mean every week and every match is going to be key to the standings.  Hopefully, we can go out to improve on these preseason rankings not just this year, but every year."

Piedmont begins its 2014 campaign this Saturday with a road match at Sewanee-The University of the South when the Lions will compete with the Tigers in an afternoon match slated to begin at 1:00 pm.  Fans can follow all the action of the 2014 Piedmont men's tennis team by visiting the official homepage of the Lions on the web at www.PiedmontLions.com.