BLACKSBURG– The Virginia Tech women's tennis team is set to begin its 2019 campaign with a doubleheader on Sunday, Jan. 27 at Burrow-Burleson Tennis Center. The Hokies will play ETSU at 10 a.m. and James Madison at 3 p.m.
MATCH INFORMATION
Date/Time: January 27, 2019
Opponents:
ETSU – 10 a.m.
JMU – 3 p.m.
Site: Blacksburg, Va. (Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center)
Live Scoring/Video: HokieSports.com
THE HOKIES
Virginia Tech is coming from a promising fall period, which saw success by several players.
Junior Natalie Novotna wrapped up the fall by winning the singles title at the Dick Vitale Clay Court Classic. In addition, she was selected to compete at the ITA All-American. Freshman Samantha Gillas captured victories in the Bedford Cup and claimed the Honor flight, which included a singles victory against JMU, at the Hokie Fall Invitational in September.
Tech combines veteran experience with several newcomers this season. In addition to Novotna, returning for the Hokies are Sarah Baron, McKenzie Collins, Shene Disbergen, Nika Kozar, Dori Mesmer, Emily Pence and Nina Sorkin. Kozar and Sorkin appeared in the lineup for the Hokies throughout the spring last season.
Joining Tech this year are Annie Clark, Elizabet Danailova, Gilllas, Rita Pinto and Jade Woo.
THE OPPONENTS
ETSU opened the spring last weekend with a loss at NC State. Tech and the Bucs met last season in Blacksburg with the Hokies winning 7-0.
JMU opens 2019 at home on Saturday against Howard before making the trip on Sunday to Blacksburg. The Dukes competed with the Hokies in the ITA Mid-Atlantic Regional and at the Hokie Fall Invite. Currently, freshmen Daria Afanasyeva (No. 101) and Amanda Nord (No. 114) are ranked in the ITA Top 125.
Tech and JMU have not met in the regular season since 2004 when the Hokies won 6-1.
