ATLANTA, Ga. (January 30, 2023) – Winners of the last six-straight Southern Athletic Association regular season championships, Rhodes was favored to win number seven in the 2023 SAA Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Poll.
 
The Lynx garnered 48 points and six first place votes to top the poll for the second-straight season. Sewanee was second with 42 points and a first place nod while Centre totaled 31 points in third. The poll was conducted among the SAA's head coaches. 
 
2023 WLAX PRESEASON POLL RESULTS
1. Rhodes - 48 pts. (6)
2. Sewanee - 42 pts. (1)
3. Centre - 31 pts.
4. Berry - 29 pts.
5. Birmingham-Southern - 20 pts.
6. Oglethorpe - 19 pts.
7. Hendrix - 7 pts.
(first place votes)
 
Rhodes enters the 2023 season on an incredible 32-game conference winning streak with its last league loss a 15-11 setback to Centre on April 3, 2016. The Lynx went 15-4 overall and 6-0 in SAA play last season, winning the conference tournament and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Rhodes boasts a record of 46-5 in the SAA since starting the program in 2014. Reigning Coach of the Year Meghan Keelan returns five All-SAA performers from last year’s squad, including first teamers Emily Bruner, Avery Burke and Emma Bradley.
 
Sewanee was runner-up last season, going 14-4 overall and 5-1 in conference. Veteran head coach Michele Dombrowski brings back three all-conference players from last season in Emma Burns, Winnie Pajcic and 2022 SAA Newcomer of the Year Brooke Sigmon. The Tigers head into the year hunting for a third SAA regular season championship in program history.
 
Oglethorpe will officially start the 2023 women’s lacrosse season, hosting Truett McConnell on February 7. Centre at Berry on March 3 kicks off conference play with all teams setting their sights on the 2023 SAA Tournament. Quarterfinal games are set for April 21, followed by the semifinals on April 23. The highest remaining seed will then host the championship game on Sunday, April 30.