Release Link: http://usasouth.net/sports/wbkb/2016-17/releases/20161018e1jrgv

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) - The USA South Athletic Conference's women's basketball coaches have released their 2016-17 preseason polls. Each divisional preseason poll only includes votes from coaches within that particular division-only. Head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting. Additionally, the Conference welcomes new League members Agnes Scott College, Salem College and Wesleyan College.

Maryville College, under the direction of Head Coach Darrin Travillian in his seventh year, are the four-time defending USA South regular season champions and captured last year's Conference tournament crown for the first time in program history. The Scots received 48 total points and six first place votes. Placing second in the poll with 43 points and the final two first place votes was last season's USA South Tournament runners-up, Piedmont College. LaGrange College followed in third place with 36 points as Covenant was fourth with 29 points. Placing fifth was Huntingdon College with 27 points while Salem collected 20 points good for sixth place. Rounding out the poll were Agnes Scott (14 points) and Wesleyan (seven points).

The women's basketball regular season gets underway on Tuesday, November 15 as nearly all of the League's 16 teams are in action.

The 2017 USA South Tournament will once again take place on campus sites. The top-six seeded teams from each division will advance to the tournament. The top-two overall seeds from each division will host first and quarterfinal matches on Friday, February 17 and Saturday, February 18. The winners of the quarterfinal contests will travel to the highest remaining seed who will host the semifinals and finals to be played onFebruary 24-25.