NORFOLK, Va., January 28, 2011- South Carolina State University's men's and women's tennis teams were predicted to win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) southern divisional crowns. Hampton University's men's and Howard University's women's teams were chosen as the top choices in the northern division as voted on by the conference's head tennis coaches and sports information directors.

Defending MEAC champion South Carolina State Bulldogs concluded the 2010 season with a 2-1 MEAC mark and 14-10 record overall en route to their second consecutive MEAC crown. The Bulldogs will return four veteran players this season to vie for their ninth MEAC men's title.

Florida A&M was predicted to finish in second. The Rattlers posted a perfect 3-0 MEAC record and won the southern divisional title a year ago. Bethune-Cookman was chosen to finish third in the men's southern division followed by Norfolk State in the fourth and final slot.

The Hampton Pirates were picked to finish first in the northern division for the third straight year. The Pirates posted an undefeated conference record (5-0) and were 11-6 overall last year.

Predicted to finish in second place in the northern division are the Howard Bison followed by Morgan State in third. Maryland Eastern Shore and Coppin State follow in the fourth and fifth spots respectively to close out the predicted order in the northern division. 

The reigning MEAC women's champion, South Carolina State Lady Bulldogs earned the nod to repeat in the south. The Lady Bulldogs were 4-0 in MEAC play and 16-5 overall last season. Returning a host of veteran players South Carolina State will look to defend their seventh title.

Florida A&M was chosen to finish second in the southern division. Last year, the Lady Rattlers recorded a 3-1 mark in MEAC play and finished 9-8 overall. Bethune-Cookman, Norfolk State, and North Carolina A&T round out the southern division preseason predictions.

Howard, winners of last year's northern divisional crown, tops the first place predictions for the north. The Lady Bison posted a 5-0 mark in MEAC play and a 15-4 record overall a year ago. Howard returns the 2010 MEAC Player of the Year Michelle Brown as well as the 2010 MEAC Rookie of the Year Brittney Morgan.

The Hampton Lady Pirates (4-1 MEAC, 8-9 overall) were predicted to finish in second. Delaware State was picked to finish in third followed by Morgan State, Maryland Eastern Shore, and Coppin State to complete the northern divisional predictions.

Conference play begins March 2 when Bethune-Cookman takes on South Carolina State in men's and women's competition.

The 2011 MEAC Tennis Championship tournament begins April 15-17 at the Millbrook Tennis Center in Raleigh, N.C.

2011 MEAC Women's Tennis Preseason Predictions