The Flames will begin their season ranked No. 23, after finishing 2010 at No. 24 in the NAIA poll, with a final record of 7-9. Competing in an NAIA Qualifier, the Lee men dropped a 5-4 decision to Bethel University to close out last season.
The Lee ladies are ranked No. 17 in this year’s opening poll. The Lady Flames finished No. 18 in the NAIA poll in 2010 after losing in the semifinal round of the Southern States Athletic Conference tournament to the eventual national runner-up, Auburn University-Montgomery.
“I was honestly surprised that (the ratings) were not higher for both teams,” said Lee head coach Tony Cavett.
“Preseason is based mostly on how you finished the year before,” added Cavett. “I think both squads are better than last year. Last season we had six freshmen. You can coach a lot of things but you can't coach experience. That is something the players just have to go through.”
The veteran Flames and Lady Flames will begin their season Feb. 23, hosting Tennessee Wesleyan College at 2 p.m.
