University of North Texas Athletics
Tennis Begins Fall At Competitive Tournament
10/1/2020 12:00:00 PM | Women's Tennis
DENTON — For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic brought a halt to the Mean Green tennis team's 2020 spring season in early March, North Texas will face actual opponents as they compete in the three-day TCU invite starting Friday at 2 p.m.
And they'll face-off against some heavy hitters.
Along with UNT, Arkansas, Baylor, LSU, Oklahoma, TCU and Texas will be featured in this weekend's competition. Depending on the courts they play on, some matches can be seen live here.
"It's truly a blessing that we were able to have everyone back on campus and practicing this fall," said head coach Sujay Lama. "This opportunity to go and compete is absolute icing on the cake. It's the best of part what we work so hard to do."
Despite last season's competition ending mid-season, the Mean Green still have a lot to build off from. UNT started the year 5-0 for the first time in program history and then sophomore transfer Maria Ponomareva was named C-USA Newcomer of the Year after she led the team in dual match victories with nine. Ponomareva was one of three Mean Green tennis players to earn all-conference accolades in last year's shortened season. It was the ninth consecutive season Mean Green tennis picked up all-conference honors.
Ponomareva wasn't just dominate in singles, she and doubles partner Nidhi Surapaneni were one of the best in doubles as they posted a 13-6 record together.
Speaking of Surapaneni, the veteran each year has taken her game to new heights and aims to end her college career with a bang. Last year, Surapaneni was undefeated versus C-USA opponents and early in the season won a career-best eight straight singles matches.
Even with the pandemic and long separation from teammates and coaches, UNT has been working hard to take the next step as a team And now that they've been back together for a few months, they've begun to see the fruits of their labor.
This offseason UNT welcomed three newcomers to the roster who are expected to contribute right away. Freshmen Matilde Magrini and Saki Oyama have received lots of praise from the coaching staff. And Junior college transfer Lucie Devier who was the No. 2 ranked player in the nation last season while at Tyler JC has brought her top-notch skills and competitiveness.
"It's special for our three new kids to wear the Mean Green jersey and make their debut," Lama said. "Saki, Lucie and Matilde have brought special energy and we are looking forward to seeing them compete at this level for the first time.
"The level of competition is going to be very high. It's a great opportunity for us to learn and grow from," he added.
Support UNT student-athletes by visiting MeanGreenScholarshipFund.com
And they'll face-off against some heavy hitters.
Along with UNT, Arkansas, Baylor, LSU, Oklahoma, TCU and Texas will be featured in this weekend's competition. Depending on the courts they play on, some matches can be seen live here.
"It's truly a blessing that we were able to have everyone back on campus and practicing this fall," said head coach Sujay Lama. "This opportunity to go and compete is absolute icing on the cake. It's the best of part what we work so hard to do."
Despite last season's competition ending mid-season, the Mean Green still have a lot to build off from. UNT started the year 5-0 for the first time in program history and then sophomore transfer Maria Ponomareva was named C-USA Newcomer of the Year after she led the team in dual match victories with nine. Ponomareva was one of three Mean Green tennis players to earn all-conference accolades in last year's shortened season. It was the ninth consecutive season Mean Green tennis picked up all-conference honors.
Ponomareva wasn't just dominate in singles, she and doubles partner Nidhi Surapaneni were one of the best in doubles as they posted a 13-6 record together.
Speaking of Surapaneni, the veteran each year has taken her game to new heights and aims to end her college career with a bang. Last year, Surapaneni was undefeated versus C-USA opponents and early in the season won a career-best eight straight singles matches.
Even with the pandemic and long separation from teammates and coaches, UNT has been working hard to take the next step as a team And now that they've been back together for a few months, they've begun to see the fruits of their labor.
This offseason UNT welcomed three newcomers to the roster who are expected to contribute right away. Freshmen Matilde Magrini and Saki Oyama have received lots of praise from the coaching staff. And Junior college transfer Lucie Devier who was the No. 2 ranked player in the nation last season while at Tyler JC has brought her top-notch skills and competitiveness.
"It's special for our three new kids to wear the Mean Green jersey and make their debut," Lama said. "Saki, Lucie and Matilde have brought special energy and we are looking forward to seeing them compete at this level for the first time.
"The level of competition is going to be very high. It's a great opportunity for us to learn and grow from," he added.
Support UNT student-athletes by visiting MeanGreenScholarshipFund.com
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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