THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The courts at the Poulson Tennis Center will have a new look this spring for the Cal Lutheran women's tennis team as five returners are welcoming five incoming student-athletes for the 2018 campaign.
The group will be led by the four seniors Merissa Souza, Annette Sousa, Nicole Neumann, and Gianna Cupo.
Cupo competed in multiple level of singles, concluding the season at No. 1 and 2. She accumulated six singles wins, three of them bring over conference opponents. Cupo competed in No. 2 doubles with, now junior, partner Sarah Seeman, compiling a 9-1 record and defeating multiple ranked and conference opponents.
Neumann has worked very hard in the off-season and can not wait to be back on the court. She competed in No. 5 and 6 singles, earning three victories against conference opponents. Neumann also competed in No. 1 and 3 doubles with Seeman and former player, Bridgette Stewart.
Both Souza and Sousa are looking to have an impact year as it is their final season as well. Sousa competed in No. 3 and 4 singles last season, garnering three victories. She compiled a 2-1 doubles record with former partner, Shelby Kubota and added a conference win with former partner Emily Werman.
As sophomores last spring, both Seeman and Christie Kurdys will continue to be leaders this season. Kurdy earned Second Team All-SCIAC honors last season as she competed in No. 1 and 2 singles and earned seven singles victories, four of those wins being against conference opponents. She also competed in No. 1, 2, and 3 doubles, earning eight victories with six Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) wins.
Seeman competed in No. 3 and 4 singles, amassing nine singles victories, where she was unstoppable as she went on a six-game win streak. She also competed in No. 1 and 2 doubles, compiling a 10-3 record and earned nine victories, five of those wins being against conference opponents.
Playing at the collegiate level for the first time in 2018 will be Madilyn Atkins (Spokane, Wash.), Taylor Campbell (Capistrano Beach, Calif.), and Nicole Klaparda (Tarzana, Calif.). Another fresh face for the team, but bringing experience, will be transfer Jade Moore who most recently attended William Jewell.
Head Coach Gennette said, "As a whole, we are building from character, trying to lay the foundation of expecting excellence."
The new group brings with it great expectations. Although they are weaker in depth this year, the team looks forward to learning and growing from an experienced coaching staff as well as creating lifelong memories on and off the court.
Cal Lutheran opens its 2018 season on the road on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at Westmont with first serve set for 2 p.m.
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Release by Nicki Tetherow, Assistant Sports Information Director
