South Carolina State University's men's and women's tennis teams were predicted to finish first in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) southern division preseason poll. Hampton University's men's and women's tennis teams were chosen as the top choices in the northern division as voted on by the conference's head tennis coaches and sports information directors.

The defending MEAC champion South Carolina State Bulldogs concluded the 2009 season with an unblemished 3-0 MEAC mark and 11-4 record overall en route to their fifth MEAC title in six years . The Bulldogs return a host of letterwinners from last year's team including 2009 All-MEAC First-Team selections Tomas Dobrotka and Radek Pivonka.

Florida A&M was predicted to finish second in the southern division. The Rattlers were 2-1 in MEAC play and 13-6 overall a year ago. Bethune-Cookman was chosen to finish third in the men's southern division followed by Norfolk State.

The Hampton Pirates were slated to finish atop the northern division for the second straight year with 19-of- 20 first-place votes. The Pirates posted an undefeated conference record (5-0) and were 8-7 overall last year. Last Years's 2009 MEAC Rookie of the Year and All-MEAC First-Team performer Nelio Mattos returns to lead the Pirates.

Howard edged out Morgan State by two points for the second place predicted finish in the north.  Delaware State was picked to finish fourth followed by Maryland Eastern Shore and Coppin State in the fifth and sixth spots, respectively.

On the women's side, the South Carolina State Lady Bulldogs, winners of five consecutive MEAC titles, received 18-of-20 first-place votes for the first place nod. The Lady Bulldogs were 4-0 in MEAC play and 12-4 overall last season. S.C. State returns a young and talented squad including the 2009 MEAC Rookie of the Year Aniko Kiss.

Florida A&M was picked to finish second in the southern division. The Lady Rattlers, who advanced to last year's championship final, were 3-1 in MEAC play and 13-6 overall last year. Bethune-Cookman, North Carolina A&T, and Norfolk State round out the southern division preseason predictions.

Hampton was picked to finish atop the northern division with 20 first place votes. The Lady Pirates posted a 5-0 mark in MEAC play and a 7-6 record overall. Hampton returns two-time reigning MEAC Player of the Year, Na-Hyun Baek, and will welcome two newcomers to this year's team.

The Howard Lady Bison (4-11 MEAC, 6-11 overall) were chosen to finish in second. Delaware State was picked to finish in third followed by Morgan State, Maryland Eastern Shore, and Coppin State to complete the northern divisional picks.

Conference play begins March 4 when Bethune-Cookman takes on Norfolk State in men's action and six teams on the women's side take to the court.  The 2010 MEAC Tennis Championship tournaments are scheduled for April 16-18 at the Millbrook Tennis Center in Raleigh, N.C.