SIOUX FALLS, SD -- The University of Sioux Falls Women's Tennis Team (0-0), which returns its entire starting lineup and has added some talented newcomers, will open the 2021 season with matches against NCAA DII South Dakota (0-1) on Friday, Feb. 4, in Sioux Falls and Creighton (2-0) on Saturday, Feb. 6, in Omaha, Neb. 

USF faces USF at 9 am on Friday, at the Huether Family Match Pointe. Then the Cougars will face Creighton at the Hanscom Tennis Center in Omaha, Neb., at 4:30 pm on Saturday.

USF, which is directed by Head Coach Kevin Grebin, has been picked to finish fifth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches Poll which was released by the league office on Tuesday, Feb. 2. In their NSIC opener, the Cougars will travel Winona State on Feb. 12 in Winona, Minn.

A year ago, USF, which was 8-5 before the CoVID-19 pandemic ended the season, finished 43-33 in singles with 33-15 record before the CoVID-19 pandemic ended the 2020 season. USF was also 21-17 in doubles with a 16-7 league record. USF advanced to the semifinals of the NSIC Championships in 2018-19.

"What excites me about this year's team is their drive and desire to improve each day," said USF Head Tennis Coach Kevin Grebin, who will again be assisted by Kevin Plank. "After what we have all gone through since last March, it is wonderful to see their positive attitude, and teammate support. It is truly a wonderful team to be associated with," he said. 

With the return of nearly its entire starting lineup, the USF Tennis Team will look to achieve a top division finish in the NSIC in 2021. A year ago, USF finished with an 8-5 overall record and a 4-2 league mark before their season ended. USF, directed by veteran Head Coach Kevin Grebin, returns players who combined for 83.7 percent of their single wins and 95 percent of the double wins from a year ago.

Led by an NSIC Player to Watch senior Lexi Miller (19-23 in singles, 19-21 in doubles in career) USF will be a veteran squad with five returning seniors and six total upper class student-athletes. Aside from Miller USF also look for senior Megan Quandt (15-31 – 6-3 at No. 1 - in singles, 19-26 in doubles in career), who was the 2019-20 NSIC Player to Watch, senior Joelle Thorfinnson (26-12 in singles, 25-17 in doubles in career), senior Rachel Klatt (8-8 singles, 21-17 doubles in career), junior Emily Applegate (6-3 singles, 2-6 in doubles in career), and senior Victoria Ambrosio-Cueto (7-14 singles, 7-12 doubles in career) to provide leadership. 

Others expected to contribute include sophomore Allison Eichacker (1-2 singles and 4-2 doubles in career), and sophomore Peyton Forney (2-3 singles, 4-6 doubles in career). Newcomers making an impact will include freshman Talia Janos, Danielle Thorfinnson, and Rhianna Cantine.