ATHENS, Ga. – The Georgia gymnastics team will begin the 2009 season in a familiar place in the rankings.

The Gym Dogs have been chosen as the No. 1 team in the 2009 Preseason Coaches Poll. Georgia, which has won four consecutive NCAA titles, received 26 of the first-place 33 votes to outdistance No. 2 Utah.

“We’re honored to be ranked No. 1 in the preseason poll,” said Georgia gymnastics coach Suzanne Yoculan, who is entering her final season. “It’s a compliment and it’s an honor we certainly appreciate. At the same time, we know it’s a long season and we have to work hard every day to put ourselves in position for the poll that matters the most – the last one.”

Georgia will face 11 teams in the preseason poll, including six from the top eight spots. The Gym Dogs will entertain No. 23 West Virginia, No. 2 Utah, No. 6 Alabama, No. 15 Auburn, No. 3 Florida and No. 8 Michigan. Georgia has road dates against No. 4 UCLA, No. 7 LSU, No. 12 Arkansas and No. 25 Kentucky.

“It’s a tough schedule, but we like tough schedules,” Yoculan said. “We enjoy the competition and we like having great meets for our fans.”

Season tickets for the 2009 Georgia gymnastics team are on sale at a cost of $50 for adults, $30 for youth and $25 for UGA faculty and staff. Tickets for the SEC Championship in Nashville are $12. Fans may purchase tickets by calling 1-877-542-1231 or going to georgiadogs.com.

Fans can get their first look at the Gym Dogs at the Sneak Peek on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2:30 p.m. Admission is free.

2009 Women's Preseason Coaches Poll

1     Georgia (26) -   814
2     Utah (2)  -  770
3     Florida  -   742     
4     UCLA (4)  -  699
5     Stanford -  676     
6     Alabama  -   640     
7     LSU  -   634     
8     Michigan (1)  -  579
9     Oregon St.  -   526     
10     Oklahoma   -  525     
11     Nebraska  -   487     
12     Arkansas  -   467     
13     Penn St.  -   382     
14     Denver  -   370     
15     Auburn  -   323     
16     Illinois  -   230     
17     Michigan St.  -   228     
18     Arizona  -   218     
19     Boise St.   -  216, Missouri   -  216     
21     Ohio St.  -   165     
22     Minnesota   -  135     
23     W. Virginia  -   106     
24     Arizona St.  -   95     
25     Kentucky  -   84     

Other team receiving votes:
Washington, Iowa St., North Carolina, BYU, NC St., Iowa, Southern Utah , San Jose St., Southeast Missouri, Maryland, Kent St., Cal Berkley, Southern Utah, Pittsburgh, Illinois-Chicago , New Hampshire, Sacramento