CofC?s Nationally-Ranked Women?s Tennis Opens Season at Winthrop
1/21/2010 10:30:00 PM | Women's Tennis
Charleston's program is ranked 68th in the nation by International Tennis Association. Only one other team in the Southern Conference make the list of the top 75 programs at the Division I level. Furman holds the 72nd spot in the poll that was released on Jan. 5.
The Cougars won the Southern Conference Championships in 2009 and played Florida in the first round of the NCAA Championships. Head coach Angelo Anastapoulo was named the ITA Southeast Coach of the Year after leading his team to a 24-5 record.
Anastapoulo's squad returns seven veterans and welcomes freshman Irene Viana (Paris, France/Lycee de Montgeron) as well as junior transfer Emma Hayman (Wanganui, New Zealand/New Mexico). The experienced squad will face a tough schedule in 2010 that includes eight teams that competed in the NCAA tournament last year.
"We've got a challenging schedule this year," Anastapoulo said. "We're looking forward to this year and aim to repeat as Southern Conference champions."
The team has two players ranked nationally in singles as well as one nationally-ranked doubles pair. Junior Casey Kinsey (Alpahretta, Ga./Northview) is tied for 102nd in singles competition while Hayman ranks 104th out of the top 125 players. Hayman pairs with senior Holly Dowse (Tuncurry, Australia/Forster) to tie 44th in the doubles rankings.
Winthrop, the defending Big South champions, went 14-8 last year. The Eagles posted a 6-2 mark when playing in Rock Hill, S.C. Winthrop is led by head coach Cid Carvalho who is in his 25th year with the Eagles.
Players Mentioned
