The Tusculum College volleyball team has been picked to finish seventh in the South Atlantic Conference this season according to the 2006 Preseason SAC Coaches' Poll announced league officials Monday. The Pioneers, under the direction of first-year head coach Nathan Baker, received 18 points in a vote of the league's eight head coaches.

Wingate University is the unanimous pick to win the 2006 SAC title as the Bulldogs received all eight first-place votes and 64 total points. Presbyterian College, which has won the past three regular season titles and the past two conference tournament championships, is picked to finish second. The Blue Hose received 50 points. Carson-Newman College as third with 44 points, followed by Lenoir-Rhyne College (37), Newberry College (33), Catawba College (30), Tusculum and Mars Hill College (12). Lincoln Memorial University, the newest member of the conference, will not be eligible for the SAC championship or awards this season.

The Food Lion SAC Tournament will be held at Wingate University on Friday, November 3, with the finals on Saturday, November 4. The winner of the tournament receives an automatic bid into the NCAA Division II Tournament.

The Pioneers will open their season Aug. 29 when they play at King College.