Greensboro, NC (2/28/01) -- The Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) released the 2001 men's and women's lacrosse preseason polls. The league's head coaches picked Guilford's women eighth and the Quaker's men seventh.

The Quakers' men's lacrosse team returns nine starters from last season's 3-10 squad. This year's club also has the largest senior presence in head coach Randy Mercer's seven years here, with seven seniors on the team. Eleven rookies on the team also give the 2001 Quakers a large freshman presence. Mercer hopes the newcomers will push the returning letter winners, and the team will improve its overall record to .500, and as earn it's first ODAC win since 1993.

First-year head coach Tara Caminiti-Ragett hopes to improve last year's (1-13) women's lacrosse record. This year's squad returns eight letter winners, including last year's second-leading scorer, junior Melissa Urann (Plymouth, MA/Falmouth Academy), who contributed 19 goals and an assist last year, for 20 points. The Quakers will also look for contributions from their five freshmen who join the squad this year.

1. Washington and Lee

2. Hampden-Sydney

3. Roanoke

4. Lynchburg

5. Virginia Wesleyan

6. Randolph-Macon

7. GUILFORD

2001 ODAC Preseason Women's Lacrosse Poll

1. Lynchburg

2. Roanoke

3. Washington and Lee

4. Randolph-Macon

5. Virginia Wesleyan

6. Bridgewater

7. Hollins

8. GUILFORD