ATLANTA, Ga. - The Piedmont women's tennis team was picked to win the Collegiate Conference of the South, as the preseason coaches poll was released Friday morning. 

The Lady Lions have won the USA South West Division Regular Season Title four consecutive seasons and last season, took the USA South Tournament Championship as well.

Piedmont checks in just ahead of Covenant with 47 total points and 5-of-8 first-place votes. The Scots took the remaining three first-place votes and finished just behind the Lions with 45 total points.

There was a sizable gap between second and third, with Huntingdon and Maryville tying for that spot with 30 points each.

Agnes Scott took fifth, just behind the Hawks and Scots with 29 points while Belhaven (20), LaGrange (12) and Berea (11) round out the eight teams competing..

Last season saw a historic rise for the Piedmont women's tennis program, as it shattered the previous program record by winning 25 matches, including the USA South Title and its first ever NCAA Tournament match, advancing past Transylvania in the first round.

The Lady Lions return five of their program-record eight All-Conference performers from last season, led by standouts ABBEY GRACE VENHAM and IMANI VINCENT.

Piedmont is scheduled to begin its 2023 campaign on Saturday, Feb. 18 at Johnson & Wales (N.C.).

CCS Women's Tennis Coaches' Poll 
1. Piedmont - 47 (5)
2. Covenant - 45 (3)
3(t). Huntingdon - 30
3(t). Maryville - 30
5. Agnes Scott - 29
6. Belhaven - 20
7. LaGrane - 12
8. Berea - 11