One would would think returning every starter from a 12-6 team would result in a respectable preseason ranking. That wasn’t the case for the Flagler women’s tennis team and Head Coach
Walter Shinn.
The Saints are ranked No. 46 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division II Top 50 Poll released in December.
Shinn was surprised but offered this explanation: “Somebody messed up. Obviously, they don't know us very well,” said Shinn.
Shinn wasn’t as disappointed with the ranking as he was a few of the teams who were voted ahead of Flagler. Three Saints’ opponents from a year ago, Saint Leo University, Northwood and Florida Tech, all of whom Flagler defeated, were voted higher in the ITA preseason poll.
“We’re going to compete really well this year. I think we’ll be very good,” said Shinn.
Flagler returns the likes of
Chelsi De Cuba,
Veronica Figueroa and
Jennifer Saviano. De Cuba, who has been playing No. 1 singles since she was a freshman, has complete respect from her coach.
“She has always been the same. She works and always tries what we throw at her,” said Shinn.
He has been pleased with her game match after match. “Chelsi's fast, has good control and does a good job,” said Shinn.
Figueroa, Flagler’s No. 2 singles player, is primed for a good season, too, according to Shinn.
“Veronica's been a great player for us. She’s going to be solid,” said Shinn. Last year, Figueroa went 12-6 which was the most wins of any singles player for Flagler and coach Shinn.
As the Saints begin their inaugural season in the Peach Belt Conference, which has five teams ranked in the top 30, Shinn is very excited about his team’s chances.
“Last year, we were 23rd in the nation. If we win our conference, with Armstrong Atlantic in it, we’ll be a top-five team,” said Shinn.
The schedule
Flagler opens play Feb. 5th vs. Palm Beach Atlantic in Orlando. The Saints defeated the Sailfish last season 5-3. Following that match, Flagler takes on 28th-ranked Saint Leo University. Flagler defeated Saint Leo 6-3 last spring.
The Saints open with four non-conference opponents before facing the USC Aiken on Feb. 20. USC Aiken went 12-10 last season with a 3-6 conference record.
Flagler's next conference match is against 22nd-ranked Augusta State Feb. 21st. The Jaguars went 13-8 last season and 5-4 in the PBC.
The Saints' first match against an ITA top-10 opponent is Feb. 28th at Columbus State. The Cougars are ranked No. 8 in Division II. Last season, CSU went 21-4 and 9-1 in the PBC.
16 teams are able to qualify for the NCAA Division II Tournament. The 14 conference champions receive automatic bids while two others receive at-large bids.
The Players
Chelsi De Cuba: Went 8-9 last year in singles play and 8-10 in doubles play. De Cuba has played in over 40 career singles matches and will be the No. 1 player for the women's squad.
Veronica Figueroa: Went 12-6 last season winning 12-out-of-her-last-15 matches. It was the most wins of any singles player for Flagler last season. Will hold the No. 2 spot for the women's team.
Jennifer Saviano: Went 10-3 in singles play last year. Coach Shinn: “Jennifer has improved a lot since her freshman year ('09). She's had a great season so far.” Saviano will be the No. 3 player.
Deon Miller: “Deon is our clutch player.” Miller went 10-6 last year. She'll hold the No. 4 spot for Flagler.
Roxane Alt,
Chelsea Taylor,
Rachel Gould,
Gabby Scammacca,
Lauren Pfeiffer and Sofia Koval round out the women's team. Alt, Taylor and Pfeiffer are Flagler's most experience players following the top four. Their positions with the team will be determined as the season progresses.