The Australian Open begins next week, but on a more immediate and non-professional note, the Appalachian State University Women’s tennis team begins their season this weekend. 

Appalachian will travel to Raleigh on Saturday, Jan. 15, to play N.C. State at 11 a.m. The ASU women will be looking to avenge a 5-0 loss to the Wolfpack in their only meeting last season. 

Practice resumed Tuesday for the ASU Women’s tennis team, as players returned from Christmas break. “I told all of the girls to stay in shape over the holidays,” said second year head coach Colin Crothers. Preparation for the 2000 season began last fall through practice and challenge matches. 

Crothers said he hopes to see his team improve their 3-15 record from last season. “I think we can be at least .500 this season,” said Crothers. 
Besides N.C. State, the rest of Appalachian’s non-conference schedule includes: Elon, UNC-Asheville, Lees-McRae, Winthrop, Charleston Southern, North Florida, South Carolina State, Emory-Riddle, Radford, High Point and UNC-Charlotte. 

The ASU Women’s tennis team will also attempt to improve their eighth place final Southern Conference standing in 1999 during this 2000 season. Crothers indicated it would not be easy when he spoke highly about the strength of conference foes Furman, UT-Chattanooga and College of Charleston. 

The 10 member roster for ASU is balanced in experience with three freshmen, three sophomores, two juniors and two seniors. 

Key players for Appalachian’s 2000 campaign, according to Crothers, will be: Tonya Eberhart, Allison Lane, Jennifer Fayad, Alex Chong and Vanessa Manicom, who was voted most valuable player of the team last season by her teammates. Chong and Eberhart are both transfers from Florida International. 

Appalachian will not play again following this Saturday’s match against N.C. State, until Saturday, Feb. 19, when they host Elon at the Yonahlossee Resort in Boone. These indoor courts will be where Appalachian will host their home matches until warmer weather approaches.