Women's tennis set for ITA Kick-Off Weekend

Friday, January 25

Nashville, Tenn.

3 p.m.

University of Memphis

Vanderbilt

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Jan 24, 2019 | Women's Tennis

Tigers begin spring slate with in-state foe Vanderbilt

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Following a strong fall campaign, Memphis women's tennis will begin its challenging spring slate Friday at the ITA Kick-Off Weekend in Nashville.

Memphis will open the weekend against host and No. 2 Vanderbilt at 3 p.m. (CT). The four-team field also includes Oklahoma and Winthrop, who will begin play Friday at 11 a.m. (CT).

The Tigers earned a spot in the ITA Kick-Off Weekend for the first time since 2015 after capping last season with their highest year-end ranking since 2014 at No. 71.

Memphis returns seven to its 2019 roster, led by juniors Josephine Cao, Katherine Cao and Claire Sullivan. Sophomores Laura Bente, Lina Hohnhold, Kayla Klazmer and Alisha Reayer seek to build upon successful 2018 campaigns, while freshmen Hannah Davies and Aleks Topalovic prep to make their debut in Blue and Gray.

Vanderbilt, who will also open its 2019 dual-match slate Friday, returns a veteran lineup to a squad that finished 2018 as a finalist at the NCAA Championships. Senior Fernanda Contreras returns after leading the team in wins last season with a 21-5 singles record, primarily anchoring the No. 2 position.

The Commodores lead the all-time series by an 18-1 margin. The Tigers are seeking their first win against the in-state foe since 1977.

Fans can follow this weekend's action with live video available at https://vucommodores.com/sports/2018/7/10/sports-w-tennis-spec-rel-live-video-html.aspx.