Aug. 18, 2011

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By Miquel Jacobs
Assistant Media Relations Director

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Southeastern Conference (SEC) coaches have selected No. 21 South Carolina to finish second in the SEC Eastern division this year, the conference office announced Thursday. The Gamecocks are coming off their second consecutive runner-up finish in the SEC East after winning a program best eight conference games last season (8-2-1) and a berth in the NCAA Second Round. South Carolina made it to the SEC Tournament Final for the second straight season as well in 2010.

Florida was selected as the favorite to win the SEC title this year with 11 of 12 first-place votes cast for the Gators. South Carolina received the other first-place vote for the East and SEC overall titles. The 51 points that the Gamecocks received in the poll are the most in program history.

In the East, No. 9 Florida was followed by No. 21 South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky. Auburn was the favorite to win the West, followed by LSU, Ole Miss, Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi State. Points were compiled on a 6-5-4-3-2-1 basis for each division, though each coach was not allowed to vote for their own team.

In addition, the SEC announced five Gamecocks on the conference’s inaugural Preseason Watch List. Gamecocks selected to the list were seniors Kayla Grimsley, Ellen Fahey and Kortney Rhoades, sophomore Danielle Au and freshman goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo.

No. 21 South Carolina opens the 2011 season on Aug. 19 when the team travels to its neighboring state to take on East Carolina in the season opener before playing No. 12 Duke on Aug. 21. Season Tickets for the 2011 season are currently on sale. Ticket prices are $25 for adults and $10 for youth. They can be purchased at GamecocksOnline.com or by calling (800) 4SC-FANS.