Cougars Hit The Road For Four Matches In Three Days To Open 2019 Season

Friday, January 18

Spartanburg, S.C.

2:00 PM

College of Charleston

USC Upstate

Photo by: Al Samuels

Cougars Hit The Road For Four Matches In Three Days To Open 2019 Season

1/17/2019 2:13:00 PM | Women's Tennis

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The College of Charleston women's tennis team kick off the 2019 campaign with three days of competition, starting with USC Upstate on Friday afternoon. The Cougars face 2018 NCAA Tournament team Wake Forest on Saturday morning with N.C. A&T State following in the afternoon before closing the weekend out at ACC powerhouse Clemson on Sunday.

Quotable – Head Coach Angelo Anastopoulo
"The weather has allowed us to properly prepare for our opening weekend. Two players will be missing through injury, however we still feel optimistic that we will play well this weekend against challenging opposition [including Wake Forest and Clemson]."

Scouting USC Upstate (Fri., 2 p.m. start)
The Spartans finished the 2018 season with a 1-19 record, falling to The College last season with Charleston picking up a 6-1 victory through five singles victories and two doubles victories for the clearcut victory. The Cougars are on a three-year unbeaten streak against the Spartans, dropping only one match through that time, with the 2016 and '17 squads picking up 7-0 sweeps.

Scouting Wake Forest (Sat., 10 a.m. start)
Charleston are 0-8 against the Deacon Demons dating back to 2002. Currently receiving votes in the ITA team rankings, Wake Forest have three singles players ranked nationally alongside four doubles teams that are also recognized by the ITA. Led by senior Emma Davis, ranked No. 44 in ITA singles after reaching the round of 64 in the 2018 NCAA Tournament, Wake Forest open the season against The College on Saturday before facing Liberty in the afternoon.

Scouting N.C. A&T (Sat., 2:30 p.m. start)
The Aggies opened the season on Wednesday against Colonial Athletic Association rival Elon, falling 7-0 on the road, aftr ending the 2018 season with a 2-18 record, 2-4 in conference play. The Cougars are 3-0 against N.C. A&T with a 7-0 sweep last season at Patriots Point and a 6-1 victory on the road in 2016. Back in 2002, Charleston also defeated the Aggies 7-0.

Scouting Clemson (Sun. noon start)
Charleston close out the weekends action with a noon matchup on Sunday against the Tigers at the Duckworth Classic. After finishing the 2018 season at 14-13, 6-8 in ACC play, Clemson are led by a strong upper-class, including three seniors and two juniors, with doubles duo Marie Leduc and Fernanda Navarro ranked third in the country after winning the 2018 Oracle ITA Fall Doubles National Championship.

The Cougars
Charleston looks to the leadership of four seniors and one junior in head coach Angelo Anastapoulo's 28^th season in charge. Laura Arciniegas, 2018 All-CAA Singles Second Team selection Christi Woodson, Turner Yates and Sarah Zschunke return alongside Anastasia Palaska, Ava Turner and Catalina Medici from a 2018 squad that finished 17-11 in the CAA Semifinal round. Newcomers include sophomore Eva Nyikos, a transfer from North Florida and sister to last season's senior Helena Nyikos, alongside Clara Errard and Lily LaBiche.