NORFOLK, Va. - The Norfolk State women's bowling team was picked to repeat as the champion of the MEAC Southern Division in a preseason vote of conference coaches and sports information directors, the league announced on Friday.

The Spartans went 52-50 in 2009, their first-ever winning record. NSU finished 14-10 in MEAC South play last year to win its first division title.

The Spartans open the 2009-10 season this Friday at the Down South Open in Winston-Salem, N.C.