Pitt Tennis Opens Fall Competition at Hurricane Invitational
9/18/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Tournament Bracket
MIAMI – The University of Pittsburgh women’s tennis team will open its fall schedule this weekend when the Panthers travel to Miami to participate in the Hurricane Invitational.
The tournament features top-notch competition as the Panthers will be joined by Baylor, Auburn, USF and UNF along with the host Hurricanes. All the schools competing this weekend with the exception of North Florida were ranked inside the ITA top-35 at the end of last season.
“We are excited to begin our competitive fall schedule. We like where we are as a team, and we feel that we have a good base to build upon,” head coach Alex Santos said. “The Miami Fall Invite will be a great challenge that will put us in high pressure situations. We need to take advantage of the opportunities to grow as a team and to define the way we play tennis. If we go to Miami with the mindset of competing at our very best level and leaving nothing behind mentally, physically, or emotionally then we will return to Pittsburgh as a stronger unit.”
The Panthers look to start off the fall season on a winning note as they head to Miami. The team played well last fall, compiling an overall singles record of 50-29 as well as an overall doubles record of 29-11.
Returning this season as seniors will be Katherine Castro and the Wickman twins, Amanda and Molly. The three seniors look to lead the Panthers after building a combined doubles record of 30-26 in their 2013-2014 campaigns. Amanda Wickman is four wins shy of 100 in her career.
Audrey Ann Blakely looks to improve on her freshmen season that produced Pitt’s first-ever ITA ranked player. Blakely, along with freshmen Callie Frey, won a doubles title together on the ITA summer circuit this past June in Pittsburgh.
Miami finished last season ranked 12th in the ITA women’s national team rankings. Leading the Hurricanes this year is the doubles duo of Monique Albuquerque and Clementina Riobeuno who are ranked third in the nation. UM’s Stephanie Wagner is the nation’s 18th ranked singles player.
Be sure to check back with www.pittsburghpanthers.com for more information and also follow @PittTennis on Twitter for updates throughout the weekend.