The USA South Athletic Conference will add two affiliate members in women’s lacrosse for the 2010 season, giving it eight members playing the sport.

Agnes Scott and LaGrange, members of the Great South Conference in other sports, will play for the USA South title along with North Carolina Wesleyan, a USA South member since 1963 that has reinstated the program it dropped after the 2007 season.

“I think it’s going to be a very competitive schedule for us,” said USA South Commissioner Rita Wiggs. “We’ve certainly got some veteran teams returning that have gone to the NCAA tournament, and then we’ll have our three new institutions that will have newly recruited student-athletes but will certainly be looking to prove their mettle in women’s lacrosse as quickly as they can.

“We’re excited about the addition and the progress of women’s lacrosse in the conference, and look forward to an exciting 2010 season.”

The USA South has sponsored women’s lacrosse as a championship sport since 2001, when four member schools – Christopher Newport, Ferrum, Greensboro and Shenandoah – competed for the title. Methodist added the sport in 2002.

League member Averett competed in the league from 2003 until dropping the sport in 2007, and North Carolina Wesleyan participated for two seasons before also discontinuing sponsorship.

“North Carolina Wesleyan is very excited to be rejoining the USA South next season,” said Battling Bishops head coach Ramona Walters. “I know I’m a first-year coach, but I’m aware of the strength of competition in our league as well as the tradition set forth by the conference as a whole. I’m hoping that the Bishops that come in next season are going to set the bar high for future Wesleyan lacrosse players, so they can strive to achieve.”

Agnes Scott and LaGrange will be playing at the varsity level for the first time during 2010.

“Agnes Scott is very excited about the opportunity for our lacrosse student-athletes to join one of the premier conferences in the Southeast,” said head coach Nicole Williams. “We understand the USA South Conference has had a rich history of being a strong conference and we look forward to competing at a high level.”

LaGrange played at the club level this year in preparation for beginning varsity play next season.

“All of us here on campus are so excited about the chance to play with all the competitive programs currently in the conference,” said head coach Julie Moses. “I look at this as an excellent opportunity for our brand new program, and can’t wait to get started.”