Trojan men's tennis ranked No. 33

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on November 7, 2008 1:46 PM

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MOC Sports Information

MOUNT OLIVE -- Mount Olive College, which returns five starters this season, is ranked No. 33 in the preseason ITA Division II men's tennis poll.

The Trojans have been nationally ranked in the preseason or regular-season play for six consecutive seasons, matching the streak with the men's basketball program.

Heading the roster is Alexandre Queiros, an all-Conference Carolinas selection in 2008. He helped Mount Olive compile a 13-12 record overall, including a 7-2 worksheet in conference play. All 12 losses occurred against teams ranked in the Division I or Division II national polls.

The Trojans are one of three conference teams and one of 12 Southeast Region teams to receive national attention.

MOC opens its season Feb. 7 at Division I Coastal Carolina.

Payne honored

MOUNT OLIVE -- Anthony Payne, who led Mount Olive in three offensive categories this season, earned a spot on the 2008 All-Conference Carolinas men's soccer third team.

Payne is the first Trojan freshman in four seasons to earn all-conference accolades. The last Trojan men's soccer player to earn all-conference honors was goalkeeper Chris Roush in 2004. Midfielder Erik Small made all-conference as a freshman in 2003.

A Virginia native, Payne finished with seven goals, eight assists and 22 points for Mount Olive, which finished the season 9-7-3 overall. He played in all 19 contests, but earned his first start Tuesday against Anderson (S.C.) University.

Trio recognized

MOUNT OLIVE -- Lyndsay Brennan earned first-team recognition on the 2008 All-Conference Carolinas women's soccer team, while teammates Jackie Jimenez and Caroline Smith received third-team accolades.

The Trojans have had at least three all-conference selections in each of the past five seasons.

Brennan, a senior midfielder, tied for first in the conference in assists with eight. She was named Conference Carolinas player of the week in mid-October. Her three assists against Coker tied her for the second-highest single-game assists total in NCAA Division II women's soccer this season.

Brennan, who scored five goals this season, finished her career ranked second in Trojan women's soccer history in career goals (41) and points (109), and tied for third in career assists (27). moved to midfield this season after spending her first three years as a forward.

Jimenez tied for eighth in the conference with seven goals this season. A fifth-year senior, Jimenez redshirted during her freshman year after an early-season injury. She is lone remaining player from the Trojans' 2004 conference championship team. Jimenez finishes her collegiate career with 20 goals and ranks sixth in school history with 22 assists.

Smith was one of two freshmen and four players overall to start all 20 matches for the Trojans this season. Smith helped Mount Olive's defense hold its last eight opponents to a combined seven goals for a 0.88 goals against average. The Trojans posted three shutouts this season, including a 3-0 win against regionally-ranked Catawba.

MOC concluded the year 6-14-0 overall.