STARKVILLE – The Mississippi State women’s tennis program is hopeful that their successful fall season will guide them to a solid spring season.
First year head coach Chris Hooshyar and the Bulldogs embark on a 27-match slate that includes 17 home matches.
“I’m excited about our schedule, we have loaded it up in terms of volume,” Hooshyar said. “The only way you get better is by competing as much as you can. We have tried to fit as many matches in as possible before conference play starts. This is going to be good year for our girls to see the level that needs to be played to challenge for the SEC! The SEC is loaded this year, and there is nothing better than playing against the best. I’m personally excited, it’s the first year in our long-term build! We’ve got some great girls, and I would love to showcase them in front of our fans at the A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre. I want our girls to be role models for all the little girls in Starkville; competitive, tough and kind. The season is right round the corner and I can’t wait!”
The Bulldogs return five letterwinners from last year’s squad including Chloé Cirotte, Alexandra Mikhailuk, Dharani Niroshan, Maria Rizzolo and Alessia Tagliente. State’s roster also includes newcomers Jayna Clemens, Athina Pitta and Ava Rath.
MSU kicks off the season with seven-straight home matches this spring. The Bulldogs begin with a doubleheader against Middle Tennessee State and Jacksonville State on Jan. 13 followed by Samford and Alcorn State on Jan. 20.
State opens the month of February by hosting UAB and Jackson State on Feb. 3. The Bulldogs will then close out their seven-match homestand with Belmont on Feb. 4.
Mississippi State will get their first road test of the season by facing Memphis on Feb. 11 before returning home for three matches. MSU hosts South Alabama on Feb. 16 followed by a doubleheader against Baylor and Bellarmine on Feb. 18.
Closing out non-conference play includes a road trip to the Big Easy for a twin bill against Tulane and New Orleans on Feb. 23.
Mississippi State begins Southeastern Conference play on March 2 at rival Ole Miss.
State will host Texas A&M for its SEC home opener on March 8 and LSU a few days later on March 10. The Bulldogs will hit the road again for two matches at Kentucky on March 15 and Vanderbilt on March 17.
A three-match homestand against…
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