FLORENCE, SC – The Francis Marion University women's tennis program was selected fifth in the 2026 Conference Carolinas Coaches' Preseason Poll that was released by the league office on Friday morning (Jan. 23).
The Patriots tallied 116 total points in the rankings, which were voted on by the league's head coaches. The defending regular season and tournament champion, Lees-McRae College, was voted as the preseason favorite after receiving seven first-place nods and totaling 160 points (institution unable to vote for themselves). Erskine College garnered an identical number of points at 160 with five first-place votes to slot in second in the rankings. Belmont Abbey College (130) obtained the final two-place nods to sit third overall while the University of Mount Olive (128) and Francis Marion rounded out the top five.
Barton College (111) ranks sixth, followed by Young Harris College (104), Converse University (90), North Greenville University (74), Chowan University (61), Emmanuel University (57), Shorter University (36), King University (30), and Ferrum College (17).
Second-year FMU head coach
Laszlo Leiter welcomes back four returners from last season's 8-9 squad while posting 6-4 mark in the Conference Carolinas. The Patriots tied for sixth in the league standings in 2025.
Among the returnees is sophomore
Lara Lanno, who earn All-Conference Carolinas Third-Team honors last year.
Francis Marion will open its season on Feb. 4 when the Patriots travel to face Coker University at 1 p.m.
The team's 19-match schedule includes nine home matches.
The 2026 Conference Carolinas Women's Tennis Championship is scheduled to take place from April 22-25 at the Palmetto Tennis Center in Sumter, S.C.
2026 Conference Carolinas Women's Tennis Preseason Poll
No. School Votes (first place)
1 Lees-McRae 160 (7)
2 Erskine 160 (5)
3 Belmont Abbey 130 (2)
4 Mount Olive 128
5 Francis Marion 116
6 Barton 111
7 Young Harris 104
8 Converse 90
9 North Greenville 74
10 Chowan 61
11 Emmanuel 57
12 Shorter 36
13 King 30
14 Ferrum 17
