ATLANTA, Ga. (January 25, 2024) – Co-champions of the Southern Athletic Association regular season a year ago, its third-straight title, Centre was voted atop the 2024 SAA Men’s Lacrosse Preseason poll.
 
The Colonels earned 33 points and four first place votes in the ranking conducted among the SAA’s seven head coaches. Rhodes (1 first place vote) and Sewanee (2 first place votes) tied for second with 30 points while Berry checked in at No. 4 with 21 points.
 
SAA 24 SAA Men’s Lacrosse Preseason Poll
1. Centre - 33 pts (4)
T2. Rhodes - 30 pts (1)
T2. Sewanee - 30 pts (2)
4. Berry - 21 pts
5. Birmingham-Southern - 16 pts
6. Hendrix - 11 pts
7. Oglethorpe - 6 pts
 
Centre shared the 2023 regular season title with Sewanee last season with both teams going 5-1 in conference play. They met in the SAA Tournament title game with the Colonel’s winning a thriller 10-9 to earn a trip to the NCAA Tournament. Centre advanced to the second round of the bracket and ended its season with a 13-4 overall record. Head coach Grant Zimmerman returns two all-conference performers, including the 2023 Newcomer of the Year Ryan Black.
 
Sewanee went 11-5 overall last season and earned a share of its third SAA regular season title. Five All-SAA selections from last year return for conference reigning Coach of the Year Nick DiBernardo. Rhodes was third last season at 12-6 overall and 4-2 in conference play. Veteran head coach David Zazzaro brings back seven players named to 2023 all-conference teams for the Lynx. 
 
Centre will look to defend its conference tournament title at the 2024 SAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship, beginning with first round games on Saturday, April 20. The highest seed will then host the semifinal and finals, April 26-28.
 
Fans can follow SAA men’s lacrosse all season long with live links on SAA-Sports.com.