WVU Mountaineer Sports: Basketball | Football | News |WVU Women's Tennis Opens Season at UNC-Wilmington Invitational

The WVU women's tennis team
is set to open its fall season this Friday morning in the UNCW
Collegiate Tennis Invitational at the Althea Gibson Tennis Complex in
Wilmington, N.C.

After beginning workouts on Aug. 30, coach Tina Samara says she has
seen improvements in all aspects of the program, including an increase
of depth.

"Already, I am seeing a really positive difference in this year and
last year," Samara says. "Last year, we were a little thin at the
bottom. We have brought in some kids that have helped get rid of that
thinness we have had. The practices have automatically become better
because the level of talent is a lot higher."

In addition to West Virginia and UNC-Wilmington, the 39-player field
will include women from Furman, Georgetown and Virginia Tech.

The tournament will be the first collegiate event held at the new
facility, with play beginning at 8:30 a.m. daily, Friday through
Sunday.

Two players in particular have stood out to Samara so far in practices,
and both are considered to be the leaders of a team that wants to build
off of last year's successes.

"Junior Emily Mathis, as far as the day-to-day, showing up and
working hard has brought that every time she is out there," Samara
says. "Senior Veronica Cardenas has worked really hard this summer,
and it is really obvious in the way she came back as far as fitness
goes. She has really embraced trying new things on the court, which can
be tough."

This year, WVU's fall schedule features tough competition from
multiple top-notch teams.

"It helps the current players see the level that is out there,"
Samara says. "It is easy to get these kids to do things that they need
to do once they see that there are players out there that are working
harder and playing at a higher level."

The benefit is not just for the players, however, as Samara expects it
to make her job a little easier from a recruiting standpoint.

"It helps with recruiting," Samara says. "If I am looking at kids
that are highly ranked, that is important to them that we are facing the
best opponents possible."

Following their trip to UNC-Wilmington, the Mountaineers will compete
in the Wake Forest Invitational, the Georgia Invitational and their lone
home date of the fall, the Martha Thorn Invitational on Oct. 7.

"You can beat a player that doesn't have a ranking in the fall, but
if they continue to do well and become ranked - you then have a top 50
win," Samara says. "You never know who you are matching up against
and what kind of win that may turn out to be."

Updates will be provided throughout the weekend.