LAKE CHARLES – The McNeese State women's tennis team is primed and ready for action as it gets set to make the trek to Waco, Texas for its season opening match against national power Baylor Thursday at 2 p.m.
The Cowgirls, who are under the helm of second year coach
Helena Besovic, return to the court following a strong showing during the fall. The squad looks to earn another trip to the Southland Conference Tournament as well as a fourth consecutive 10-win season.
"We are very excited to open our season at Baylor this week," said Besovic. "Everyone is back fresh from the break and hungry for the competition to start. We've worked very hard during the off-season and I think that we are well prepared to have a successful run this season."
McNeese returns six student-athletes from its lineup last season, including two-time Southland Conference Player of the Year
Klaudia Gawlik, 2015 All-SLC First Team selection
Julia Kral and 2015 Louisiana Freshman of the Year
Sarah Jurakova. All-SLC second team doubles honoree
Anastasija Trubich,
Vivien Borbely and
Hannah Brett complete the all-star lineup.
New to the team are freshmen players
Charoline Erlandsson of Stockholm, Sweden and
Giovanna Fioretti of Monsano, Italy.
"This year we have really matured as a team by coming to realize how important team work is and the mutual respect we have gained for each other," said Besovic. "All this will be reflected in our performance on the tennis court.
Baylor, who begins the season ranked 11
th in the ITA Tennis poll, returns five players from last year's squad that posted a 28-7 overall mark. The Lady Bears ended their season with a deep run in the NCAA Women's Tennis Regionals, eventually bowing out to No. 1 ranked USC.
"Our non-conference schedule will definitely get us ready for conference play," said Besovic. "This is a long road ahead of us but I'm positive that it will be full of success and great experiences for our team."
The Cowgirls will continue opening weekend play on Friday they face off against Texas Rio Grande Valley on the Baylor Campus. That match is slated for a 10 a.m. start.
