Jan. 18, 2010

ANTEATERS OPEN 2010 SEASON THURSDAY: The No. 57 UC Irvine women’s tennis team (0-0) will open the 2010 dual match season Thursday as they host San Francisco at 1:30 p.m. at Anteater Tennis Stadium. The team will then travel to Los Angeles to face No. 9 USC Friday at 1:30 p.m. at Marks Stadium.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Dons feature two-time WCC Player of the Year Jenni Heinser. The team went 11-11 in 2009 and finished fourth in the WCC Tournament.

The No. 9 Trojans will open the season against Long Beach State before hosting the ’Eaters. USC has four players ranked in the top 40 in singles.

ANTEATERS IN THE RANKINGS: The Anteaters are currently ranked 57th in the country by the ITA rankings. Sophomore Stephanie Hammel (Placentia/Valencia HS) is ranked 15th in  singles in the Southwest Region. Junior Brooke Bartlett (Fountain Valley HS) is ranked 20th in singles in the region. The doubles team of Hammel and sophomore Courtney Byron (Scottsdale, Ariz./Notre Dame Prep HS) is ranked third in the region. The ‘Eaters ended the 2009 season ranked 57th nationally.

TOP RETURNERS: Stephanie Hammel was named Big West Freshman of the Year in 2009 as well as All-Big West first team in singles and doubles with the now graduated Heidi Kaloi. Courtney Byron was All-Big West second team in singles and honorable mention in doubles with junior Miranda Young (Newport Beach/Tufts Univ.). Brooke Bartlett was named All-Big West honorable mention in singles. Junior Becka Kwan (San Diego/Torrey Pines HS) led all returners with a 16-6 record in singles last season.