CCU Spring Sports Notebook: Men’s tennis building a reputation

Despite turning over most of its roster, the Coastal Carolina men’s tennis team was nonetheless voted first in the Big South’s preseason coaches poll for the third straight year.

The Chanticleers have been a program on the rise while winning two regular-season championships in the last three years, but coach Chris Powers doesn’t think that burgeoning reputation is the only thing that earned his team the top spot in the poll.

“I give credit to the guys because we have so many new faces, but they did such a great job in the fall,” he said. “I really think they made a name for themselves in a short period of time.”

Gone is top player Philippe Tsangarides and every doubles team from last season. Meanwhile, the Chants filled out their roster with the help of some transfers, including junior Sebastian Schneider from Utah State and sophomore Francesco Migliano from Texas-Arlington.

Powers said he doesn’t know yet who will be his No. 1 singles player, but he has a few options.

The Chants open the spring season this weekend with matches Saturday at Richmond and Sunday at William & Mary.

“What we decided to do when we were recruiting for this year was we were going to go character first,” he said. “We really wanted to build some character – not that we had lost character – but we really wanted to start with character guys. We’re not as good this year in terms of skill, but we have a group of hard workers that are going to be scrappers, which is really my style. That’s what got us here.”

Women’s tennis returns home

The Coastal Carolina women’s tennis team plays its home opener Saturday with a doubleheader against Francis Marion (10 a.m.) and Savannah State (2 p.m.).

The Chants, who were voted fourth in the Big South’s preseason poll, opened the season with a 7-0 loss at South Carolina last week.

Noad honored by Big South

Earlier this week Coastal Carolina senior catcher Morgan Noad was named the Big South’s Preseason Player of the Year while the Chants were picked second in the conference softball poll behind reigning champion Longwood.

Noad set a program record with 22 home runs last season while leading the league in both homers and total bases.

The Chants open their season Feb. 12 in Jacksonville, Fla.

Women’s lacrosse picked third

The Coastal Carolina women’s lacrosse team was voted third in the Big South preseason poll entering its fourth season, marking its highest selection yet in the poll.

The Chants, who are entering their first season with new head coach Kristen Selvage, open play Feb. 19.

This story was originally published January 29, 2016 at 7:38 PM with the headline "CCU Spring Sports Notebook: Men’s tennis building a reputation."