TEMPE – The Sun Devil women's tennis team is set to open the fall season this weekend against of field of professional and collegiate players from across the world at the ITF's Lubbock $25,000 Invitational in Lubbock, Texas.
"It gives them a good opportunity to build on some of the WTA rankings that they have and get some points for that," associate head coach Matt Langley said. "They're also going to see a lot of other college kids there. The tournament is hosted by Texas Tech and I know some of the other Big 12 schools are taking players to that event. We're just excited to get the fall season underway and I'm excited to see them live and competing for us, but still in that professional setting where they're boosting their rankings."
ASU and the other universities in attendance will not compete as a team in the individual tournament, but three members of the 2017-18 Sun Devil roster are scheduled to take to the hard court at the McCleod Tennis Center on the campus of Texas Tech.
"It's a little different setting because it's not a traditional college tournament where we can be out there coaching them on the court," Langley said. "From that standpoint, it's a little different of an experience than what we'll have next weekend at TCU."
Of the three, two will be making their Sun Devil debuts, including Tereza Kolarova and Lauryn John-Baptiste.
Kolarova is a true freshman from Frydek-Mistek, Czech Republic, and is currently ranked 1,062 in the world in the WTA doubles rankings. Her most-recent win came at an ITF tournament in Las Vegas this past week when she defeated fellow Sun Devil John-Baptiste 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.
John-Baptiste, an 18-year-old from London, England, joined the Sun Devils over the Summer and brings an impressive resume to Tempe, including a national U-18 singles and doubles title.
"I think a lot of them have goals of playing professional tennis and now in the WTA you can get coaching, but to become a better player, it's important to kind of figure out what you're doing well and what you're not doing well on your own," Langley said. "It's going to be a good challenge for them, and it's something we can talk about afterward."
Senior and Italy international Nicole Fossa Huergo is the other Sun Devil entered in the tournament.
Last season, Fossa Huergo put up an 18-11 record and went 6-3 in Pac-12 singles play and she and Alexandra Osborne went unbeaten in the month of January before finishing with a 17-11 doubles record.
"They'll have to get through three rounds of qualifiers before they get to the main draw," Langley said. "Obviously, that's the goal. After that we'll just take it one match at a time."
The tournament draw is expected to take place Friday evening, then the first round of qualifying matches will get underway Saturday. The main draw is scheduled to begin Monday.
Results will be available on the ITF's website, and thesundevils.com will have a recap of the Sun Devils' days online after each day of competition.
"It gives them a good opportunity to build on some of the WTA rankings that they have and get some points for that," associate head coach Matt Langley said. "They're also going to see a lot of other college kids there. The tournament is hosted by Texas Tech and I know some of the other Big 12 schools are taking players to that event. We're just excited to get the fall season underway and I'm excited to see them live and competing for us, but still in that professional setting where they're boosting their rankings."
ASU and the other universities in attendance will not compete as a team in the individual tournament, but three members of the 2017-18 Sun Devil roster are scheduled to take to the hard court at the McCleod Tennis Center on the campus of Texas Tech.
"It's a little different setting because it's not a traditional college tournament where we can be out there coaching them on the court," Langley said. "From that standpoint, it's a little different of an experience than what we'll have next weekend at TCU."
Of the three, two will be making their Sun Devil debuts, including Tereza Kolarova and Lauryn John-Baptiste.
Kolarova is a true freshman from Frydek-Mistek, Czech Republic, and is currently ranked 1,062 in the world in the WTA doubles rankings. Her most-recent win came at an ITF tournament in Las Vegas this past week when she defeated fellow Sun Devil John-Baptiste 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.
John-Baptiste, an 18-year-old from London, England, joined the Sun Devils over the Summer and brings an impressive resume to Tempe, including a national U-18 singles and doubles title.
"I think a lot of them have goals of playing professional tennis and now in the WTA you can get coaching, but to become a better player, it's important to kind of figure out what you're doing well and what you're not doing well on your own," Langley said. "It's going to be a good challenge for them, and it's something we can talk about afterward."
Senior and Italy international Nicole Fossa Huergo is the other Sun Devil entered in the tournament.
Last season, Fossa Huergo put up an 18-11 record and went 6-3 in Pac-12 singles play and she and Alexandra Osborne went unbeaten in the month of January before finishing with a 17-11 doubles record.
"They'll have to get through three rounds of qualifiers before they get to the main draw," Langley said. "Obviously, that's the goal. After that we'll just take it one match at a time."
The tournament draw is expected to take place Friday evening, then the first round of qualifying matches will get underway Saturday. The main draw is scheduled to begin Monday.
Results will be available on the ITF's website, and thesundevils.com will have a recap of the Sun Devils' days online after each day of competition.