VIDEO: Jean Love Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman women's tennis team begins its 2018 campaign playing host to Delta State on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Buddy Catlett Tennis Complex.
The meeting serves as the first between the two teams in C-N program history.
The Eagles look to improve their 8-10 record from a year ago.
"I think going into this match, they certainly will be a confident team in terms of we've done this before, here's what we can do," head coach Jean Love said of her team. "Being the first match out of the gate, there will probably be a few nerves, but once a couple balls will hit, people will settle down and we'll be ok."
Love's squad returns six players from last season's team including All-SAC Preseason Single Second Team honoree Ali Harris (Crossville, Tenn.) who went 6-12 last season at the top spot in singles play.
"We're really going to be looking at some of the veterans to provide some leadership and be consistent in their play right from the very start," Love said of her returning players.
The two seniors on this year's team are Jill Corsato-Owsianka (Düesseldorf, Germany) and Sydney Ledington (Corbin, Ky.). Corsato-Owsianka comes into the season with a career singles record of 35-19, giving her the chance to become the first C-N women's tennis player to notch 40 wins in her career this decade. She currently holds the program record for most singles wins in a season since 2010 with 17 in 2016. Her tally of 10 last season puts her in a tie for eighth on the same list.
Ledington was 8-9 in singles play at the No. 6 spot in 2017 while going 4-14 at No. 3 for doubles action, sharing most of her time on the court with Lindy Tatum.
Two of the three freshmen on this year's team will be relied upon in singles play as part of the top six.
"I'm kind of looking for the freshmen maybe to be freshmen, but they've got some talent," Love mentioned. "If my other returners can step up and provide a little calming influence here initially, then that's going to help out."
Delta State went 5-16 in 2017, compiling a 3-7 record in Gulf South Conference action. In the GSC Tournament, the team took a 5-0 loss to the top-seeded University of West Florida.
With Jeffrey Farris at the helm, the Statesmen return five players from last year's roster including seniors Charlotte Le Flohic and Madison Wages. Le Flohic was 5-9 in singles play last season at the No. 2 spot and went 7-11 in doubles action at the No. 1 and No. 2 positions. Wages recorded just one win in 10 singles matches at No. 5 and 6 while taking a 2-11 record at the No. 3 spot in doubles.
While this match-up will serve as the official season-opener for both squads, the Delta State side took part in two exhibition games in the fall, dropping a 6-1 decision to Alcorn State after a 7-0 loss to Jackson State.
Saturday's match is slated to begin at 1 p.m. at the Buddy Catlett Tennis Complex. Stats can be found on cneagles.com at the conclusion of the matches.
