ROCK HILL, S.C. -- Two-time defending South Atlantic Conference champion Tusculum is tabbed fourth in the 2009-2010 SAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Tusculum, which finished the 2008-09 season with a 26-6 record, a conference championship title and its second consecutive berth in the NCAA Division II national tournament, received 54 points in the poll of the league's head coaches.

Junior guard Jasmine Gunn was named to the Preseason All-SAC First Team for the second straight season, having already been selected to the Women's Division II Bulletin Preseason All-America Honorable Mention team.

Lenoir-Rhyne, which won both the regular-season and Food Lion South Atlantic Conference women's basketball tournament titles, is the favorite to win the 2010 championship, receiving eight first-place votes and 80 of a possible 81 points.

Carson-Newman is picked to finish second, receiving one first-place vote. Newberry is third, followed by Tusculum, Wingate, Catawba, Lincoln Memorial, Mars Hill and Brevard.

The Lady Pioneers travel to Cullowhee, N.C. on Nov. 7 for an exhibition against Western Carolina then hosts Maryville on Nov. 10 at Pioneer Arena in its final exhibition game at 6 p.m.

Tusculum opens the regular season on Nov. 16 at home against King at 6 p.m.