Troy University Athletics
Trojans Prepare to Open Season
1/21/2010 6:43:22 PM | Tennis (M)
TROY, Ala. - The Troy University men's and women's tennis teams hit the court this weekend for their season-opening matches, albeit hundreds of miles away from each other.
The women will open the season Friday on the road at Florida Gulf Coast University. Although it will be the first match for the women officially this season, the Trojans played in the UGA Invitational last week against some of the nation's best teams.
"Playing in the tournament last week really helped us," Troy head coach Eric Hayes said. "It helped prepare us mentally as individuals, and now we have to get in the mindset of playing as a team."
The tournament last weekend was an individual-based tournament, in which results will go towards an individual's ranking in the ITA Top 100. The Trojans were able to pick up some key wins over the weekend and will look to translate into their matches this weekend, as they will also play FIU on the south Florida road trip.
"We played well at Georgia," Troy assistant coach Tyler Faulkner said. "Emma Smith really stood out on the first day as she was able to pick up a pair of victories. She found herself down in both sets in singles, but was able to come back and win the match, showing us that she is a warrior."
Joining Smith in the lineup for the Trojans this week could be upperclassmen Stephanie Vieira and Leonie Guijt, as well as fellow freshman Lauren Simpson and Rosaura Ramirez-Vega.
Meanwhile, the men travel north up 231 to the capital city where they will face Alabama State University in their season-opener on Saturday. The Trojans will look to rebound from a disappointing season last year with almost a totally new roster.
Back from last season are Xavier Masson, Mario Rolemberg, Aurelien Tave and Branko Weber. Those four individuals will look to stabilize the lineup for the Trojans throughout the season.
"The men have some experience coming back," Hayes said. "Their first match should be a test as to what they can do as a team. They will need to use that first match to get better for the rest of the season, as there is a lot of tennis to be played this year."
