CHATTANOOGA LIVE STATS | 2013 SCHEDULE 

KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State women’s tennis team looks to begin 2013 in a winning way, as the Owls open its dual-match season at Chattanooga in a 6 p.m. ET contest on Friday, Jan. 25.

“This is our championship season and as a coach it is my favorite part of the season, competing head-to-head against other teams,” said Head Coach Jeff Kutac. “The whole group is pretty excited to be back. We have had very motivated, high-energy practices, so we are looking forward to competing.”

While losing three-time All-Atlantic Sun performer Vera Shkundina to graduation, the cupboard is far from empty for Kennesaw State. The Owls return sophomore Virginie Stein, the reigning A-Sun Freshman of the Year and an A-Sun First-Teamer, as well as fellow first-team honoree junior Alexandra Apostu and All-Freshman Team performer sophomore Jana Hueckinghaus.

Along with the three award-winners, lone senior Therese Lagerkvist looks to finish her career on a high note, while sophomore Tamara Plocher is ready to take on a larger role in 2013.

“We have a strong group of young ladies this year,” said Kutac. “Losing Vera is obviously something we have to deal with but, we have Therese back, who has had three successful years and are looking forward to a strong season from her. We also have Alex and Tamara who have really stepped up in leadership roles and looking for a lot from them, not only on the court, but off the court as well.”

KSU is also welcoming freshmen Blaire LaSure and Isabela Castro to the squad.

“Everybody has a freshman year, which is a learning curve,” noted Kutac. “Getting adjusted, going from junior tennis to college tennis and with the fall season being individual tournaments, even that is an adjustment going to head-to-head dual matches, but they have been training hard and playing well, so I am looking for great things from them as well.”

Along with a talented group of tennis players, the 2013 schedule also brings a talented pool of competition, including Georgia State, who is ranked No. 72 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings. However, Kutac stresses that every opponent will bring their own challenges when facing the Owls.

“We have the toughest schedule in program history and we need to step up and play accordingly,” said Kutac.

The 2013 slate starts Friday against Chattanooga. The Mocs are coming off a 16-6 record in 2012, the most wins for the program since 1999.  

“Chattanooga is a very strong team,” said Kutac. “They beat us last year and we are going up and playing them our first match and it is their first match indoors as well. We are excited to play them and look forward to a competitive match.”

Keep up with Owls women's tennis this year by following KSU on Twitter at @KSUOwlNation or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook. 
 
Kennesaw State University is celebrating 30 years of intercollegiate athletics during the 2012-13 academic year.