Coming off a program-best 13-8 (3-2 SCAC) record in wins and win-percentage, the program's first win over a Nationally Ranked opponent (5-4 v. #40 CalTech), a second-consecutive come-from-behind win over Colorado College for a 3rd-place finish in the SCAC Tournament, and several regional singles and doubles rankings, the 2017-18 season was one for the history books in Austin College Women's Tennis history.  The Women's Tennis Team climbed up as high as #11 in the West Region Rankings, but the 'Roos will have their work cut out to repeat last year's performance, with a tough Spring Break Trip to Orlando, Florida, and several nationally ranked matchups on the schedule. 

     The task set before them will not be any easier now that graduated Senior Grace Ortiz has completed her eligibility for the 'Roos.  Ortiz compiled over 70 Singles and Doubles victories for Austin College and ended her career with Melody Duong as the #13 Ranked Doubles Team in the ITA West Region.  Ortiz was named Honorable Mention All-SCAC all four years of her career but has elected to return to the team as an Assistant Coach while completing her graduate work at the University of Texas at Dallas.  Her expertise, passion, and experience will surely aid a young AC squad regaining a 2-time First-Team All-Conference Senior for her final ride in the Crimson and Gold.

     Senior co-Captain Kirsten Weber (Texarkana, TX) returns to the Women's Tennis program and looks to show the Conference what an improved 2017-18 roster would look like with her 39 combined Singles & Doubles victories (all at Line 1) aiding in the lineup.  Her veteran leadership will be useful throughout the year, but most especially when it comes to the SCAC Tournament in Sherman, TX April 19th - 21st.

     Weber's Senior co-Captain counterpart, Brenna McCown will also be counted on to step into the lineup as a 2-time letter-winning upperclassmen and lead the Kangaroos into one of their most challenging schedules this Spring.

     2-time Junior co-Captain Katie Seibert (Medina, TX) will also be leaned on heavily to promote the values of respect and competitiveness that have become commonplace within the program in her time as a Kangaroo Women's Tennis Player.  Under her watch, Women's Tennis earned the SCAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Award for Sportsmanship in Women's Tennis, voted on by a panel of their SAAC peers.  Seibert and partner Georgia Moore were named to the All-Tournament Team in last year's SCAC Championships at Line 3 Doubles for their victory over Colorado College that led the 'Roos to another 5-4 victory over the Tigers.

     Junior Anna Sergiovanni (Richardson, TX) also matriculates to upperclassmen status for the Kangaroos, as she logged 32 combined victories (20 singles, 12 doubles) for AC in 2017-18 and began the year as the #17 Singles Player in the ITA West Region Rankings.  Sergiovanni has improved tremendously in all parts of her game from last year and will look to add a 3rd mention on the All-SCAC list to her legacy (1st Team 16-17, Honorable Mention 17-18).

     The winningest returner from last year's squad is Junior Diana Carvajalino (Hurst, TX), who supplied the 'Roos with an astounding 34 total victories (19 Singles, 15 Doubles) in 2017-18 and finished the year tied for 25th on the ITA West Region Singles Rankings.  In her first year as a Kangaroo, Carvajalino was named First-Team All-SCAC, and All-Tournament Team at Line 1 Singles and Line 2 Singles, and was the clinching point over Colorado College in the 3rd Place match in Colorado Springs.  Her tenacity, competitiveness, and mental toughness will be key if the Kangaroos hope to improve their place in the SCAC pecking-order.

     A trio of Sophomores looks to be mainstays in the lineup at Singles and Doubles, led by reigning SCAC Newcomer of the Year and current #49 Singles Player in the Division III National Rankings, Melody Duong (League City, TX).  Duong soared through the singles bracket at the ITA Regional Championships, advancing to the semi-finals as the first player to do so since Arianne Goddard in 2011.  With a minimum of 7 West Region spots reserved in the NCAA Singles Championships at the end of the year, starting the Spring at #11 in the West with several nationally ranked opponents on the horizon looks promising for the rising sophomore.

     Georgia Moore (Dallas, TX) supplied the 'Roos with 18 victories last season, including 2 wins over CalTech in the programs first victory over a Nationally-Ranked opponent and the victory with Seibert over Colorado College that earned her All-Tournament Honors at Line 3 Doubles.  Her positive attitude is something that her teammates can always count on to keep them motivated in matches, and is what makes her so indispensable on the doubles court (10 victories in 17-18).

     Chandler Morris (Arlington, TX) earned All-Tournament Honors at the SCAC Championships as well (Line 6 Singles), and contributed 19 victories (12 Singles) through 17-18.  Her left-handed serve and aggressive baseline play have served her well all over the lineup early in her career, and she will continue to be an integral member of the 18-19 squad.

     With a year of road-tested experience under this roster's belt, the 2018-19 Austin College Women's Tennis Season is promising for several reasons.  It will be exciting to see what this team looks like at the end of a 20-match, 2-month sprint.  But one thing is for certain, the little city in Far-North Dallas has a Tennis Team that is making noise across the nation.  And Head Coach Ryan Dodd (5th Season), and first-year Assistant Grace Ortiz have a lot to be proud of as the season opens this weekend.

     Women's Tennis travels to Shreveport, LA this weekend to take part in the inaugural SCAC/SAA/ASC Crossover hosted by Centenary College.  The Kangaroos face LeTourneau University at the Cockrell Tennis Center on Saturday, February 23rd at 3:00 PM.