FGCU W-TEN vs USF Preview

The FGCU women's tennis team (0-0) kicks off its season hosting I-75 foe USF for a Sunday matinee meeting beginning at 2 pm at the FGCU Tennis Complex. The match against the Bulls is part of a five-match homestand the Eagles will host this month and into February.

Last Time Out:
FGCU capped off the 2018 season going 10-8 overall with a perfect 6-0 league record for a second-straight year. The reigning A-SUN Player of the Year Maja Ornberg produced a 12-1 record on court No. 1 last season as she was one of three Eagles to turn in double-digit wins going 15-3 (19-12 overall) in dual action and posted a 6-0 mark in A-SUN play.

Senior and three-time A-SUN First teamer Julia Ascúa racked up seven wins on court No. 2 (second-most in the A-SUN), producing eight dual wins.

All said the Green and Blue bring back a bolstered roster with seven players returning to the mix.

A-SUN Preseason Poll:
The back-to-back A-SUN regular season champs collected 52 points and one first-place vote in the A-SUN Coaches Poll released Friday afternoon. Atop the poll, conference newcomer Liberty and UNF each garnered 57 points apiece for a first-place tie. The Ospreys came away with four first-place votes compared to the Flames' three.

Lipscomb (37) was selected to finish fourth in the poll, ahead of Stetson (35) and NJIT (24). Kennesaw State (18) and the A-SUN's second newcomer team this year North Alabama (8) rounded out the poll.

Scouting USF:
The Bulls kicked off its season Saturday afternoon suffering a 4-3 loss to FAU. The Bulls went 12-10 overall in 2018 with a 4-3 mark in the American Athletic Conference (AAC).

The squad is led by three seniors in Nicole Dzenga, Vanja Klaric, and Ana Roman Dominguez. Dzena produced a 12-5 record last season highlighted by an eight-match win streak. Dzena lost her match at #6 singles (6-3, 1-6, 6-7)

Meanwhile, Klaric registered a team-best nine-match win streak going 13-8 in singles last season. Klaric won her match at #4 singles (7-5, 6-1)

Coming off of a 5-12 record in single, Roman Dominguez upset 88th ranked Natalia Boltinskaya at #1 singles (6-0, 6-1).

Series History:
The Bulls hold a 7-1 record against the Eagles. The Bulls won 4-3 last season. The Eagles lone win was on January 24, 2017 where the Eagles won 5-2 at the FGCU Tennis Complex.

How to Keep Up:
Fans can keep up with both teams on their Twitter pages:
FGCU: @FGCU_WTen
USF: @USFWTEN