SIOUX FALLS—The University of Sioux Falls Women's Tennis Team will open their 2019 schedule with a pair of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference matches this weekend in Bismarck, N.D.

USF, which is directed by veteran head coach Kevin Grebin, will travel to Bismarck, N.D., on Saturday, Feb. 9 to face Minnesota State Moorhead for a 1 p.m., match. The Cougars will then turn around and play University of Mary on Sunday, Feb. 10 at 1 p.m.
 
Both USF and U-Mary will begin their seasons this weekend, while MSUM already has already played one match this year. MSUM is currently 1-0 on the season after defeating Concordia College, 7-0 on Feb. 1. A year ago, the Cougars finished in a tie for fourth in the NSIC standings and earned the No. 6 seed in the NSIC Tournament.
 
USF picked to finish fifth in NSIC preseason poll
USF, which returns five starters to its lineup, has been picked to finish fifth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll which was released by the league office on Friday (Jan. 31).

USF received 72 total points in the poll and finished ahead of Upper Iowa (70 points) and just below Bemidji State (82). Augustana received 11-of-12 first place votes and 121 points for was the pick by the coaches to win the league. MSU Moorhead earned one first place vote and 111 points and was projected to take second with Winona State, third at 92 points and followed by BSU, Sioux Falls, and Upper Iowa.
 
Chloe Jefferies returns as USF player to watch with veteran talent around her
With the return of Jefferies, the NSIC Freshman of the Year and first-team all-league a year ago, a talented USF squad will look to earn a fourth NSIC Tournament bid in five years. Last year, the Cougars put together an 11-7 season. The mark by USF a year ago was the second-best in school history. Directed by USF Head Coach Kevin Grebin, the Cougars finished tied for a program-best 7-4 mark and earned the No. 6 seed in the league tournament. USF had an overall 34-32 NSIC mark in singles and 21-12 record in doubles.
 
Jefferies finished 14-3 overall including 10-1 in league play at No. 1 singles in 2018. She recorded 13 straight set wins in helped USF earn an NSIC postseason tournament berth for third time in four years. Jefferies closed out the 2018 season with five straight wins and recorded 11 singles wins when she lost a combined two games or fewer. Additionally, the Clive Iowa redshirt sophomore was 11-7 at No. 1 doubles. 
 
Junior Victoria Ambrosio-Cueto, a transfer from Walsh University, will be among the talented newcomers impacting USF's team this year. USF also returns sophomore Joelle Thorfinnson, who was 11-6 a year ago at No. 4-5 singles and had a 10-8 mark in No. 1 doubles. Sophomore Rachel Klatt had an 11-6 record at No. 3 doubles at No. 3 was 2-1 at No. 6 singles. USF also returns sophomore Lexi Miller who was 9-8 at No. 3 singles and 9-9 at No. 2 doubles. Sophomore Megan Quandt, who was 2-16 at No. 2 singles and 10-8 at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles, returns as does junior Kelsie Sanders, who was 5-9 at No. 4 singles. Sanders also was 8-5 in playing No. 3 doubles.