UTPA foe in Kats' Sunday Tennis Opener
1/24/2015 8:44:00 AM | Women's Tennis
With an influx of new talent, the Sam Houston women's tennis team begins a promising 2015 season Sunday at 1 p.m. when the Bearkats face off with UT-Pan American at the McAdams Tennis Center.
The contest with the Broncs is the first of 11 home matches for Sam Houston this spring.
“Everyone on the team is excited to get started,” head coach Jim Giachino said. “We've had good practices despite the weather lately. It will be great to get back to competition.”
The Bearkats have four new faces in their lineup to replace the three graduating seniors gone from last year's squad. The newcomers showed they can produce victories during the SHSU's fall tournament schedule last semester.
Fabienne Gettwart of Dreiech, Hessen, Germany made Sam Houston women's tennis history during the fall. The freshman became the first Bearkat to advance to the round of 16 at the annual USTA / ITA Regional Championships. Overall in fall tournament play, Gettwart produced a 6-4 singles record.
Mila Milanovic, who brings a strong junior tennis background from Lleoda, Spain, went 9-2 in tournament action during the fall. She also teamed with three partners to pick up seven victories in doubles action.
Caitlyn Mitchell, a freshman from Nhulunbury, Northern Territories in Australia, totaled six tournament wins in singles and doubles this fall.
Bailey Van Dyke will be a fourth new face in the lineup although she has been a Bearkat for a year. The Montgomery, Texas, product red-shirted in 2013-14 after playing as a freshman at Louisiana-Lafayette.
Senior Olivia Battye and juniors Maddie Mortimore and Karen Martinez return from last year's team. Battye and Mortimore both are from Great Britain and Martinez is from Columbia.
“We have a good blend of experience and youth on the squad this year,” Giachino said.
Sunday's match will begin with three doubles matches followed by six singles contests.
