University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville Tennis Holds Kickoff Event Ahead of Opening Weekend
01.23.2020 | Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis
ASHEVILLE – UNC Asheville's men's and women's tennis teams hosted their second-annual Kickoff Event, Wednesday night, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Resort as they prepare for their season openers this weekend.
About 75 supporters of UNC Asheville Athletics and the tennis teams, along with tennis alumni and athletics staff joined the coaches and student-athletes to celebrate the start of the 2020 spring season.
After supporters had an opportunity to chat with the teams, each coach went up to the front of the room to introduce their 2020 squad. Women's head coach Lise Gregory introduced the eight student-athletes of the women's team, followed by men's head coach Tom Hand, who introduced his nine student-athletes. Always a comedian, Hand got numerous laughs from the crowd on hand with jokes aplenty.
Following the introductions, the guests were able to ask a number of thoughtful questions of the head coaches before Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone closed things out by thanking everyone for attending.
"I love this event," Gregory said. "I think it's an awesome event, and we've seen so many new faces.
"I think going into the season, I have pretty high expectations, and to have the support from our fans at every match is a huge help."
The women's team gets its season started first, as it will host Tusculum at the Asheville Racket Club, 1 p.m., Friday. The Bulldogs will stay at home for a 3 p.m., Sunday, matchup with UNC Greensboro, featuring a tailgate before the match.
In all, the women will have 11 matches at the Asheville Racquet Club, including each of their first six matches of the year.
They feature five returners from a squad that went 10-9 a season ago, led by seniors Emily Sidor and Lauren Watson-Steele. They are joined by juniors Anastasia Horvat and Taylor Love and sophomore Lize Alet Morkel. The team has three freshmen: Rosie Dickson, Ami Grace Dougah and Brianna Taranto.
"What a great event," Hand said. "It shows the progress that were making as a program, not just on the court, but off it as well with the relationships we're building with the members of the Asheville Racquet Club and the community of Asheville. They're really starting to wrap their arms around both the men's and the women's programs and it's great to see everybody out here.
"I think with the success we've had the last couple years, I think people are starting to see what we're capable of and I'm just excited for the season ahead."
The men's team gets its season underway when it travels to Greenville, N.C. for a pair of matches. The Bulldogs will match up with North Carolina Central at noon, Saturday, and will then face off against the home East Carolina Pirates at noon, Sunday.
Their first home match will be a 3 p.m. contest, Saturday, February 1, against James Madison. Overall, the men have eight home matches at the Asheville Racquet Club.
They are led by mostly familiar faces from last season's squad that went 20-5 and 6-2 in Big South play, including seniors Edward Colclough and James Massie. Juniors Finlay Ray McFadyen, Charlie Morkel and Oli Nolan return, as do sophomores Leo Bierbaum, Sirawit Daosaengsawang and Quinn Fender. Freshman Harry Thursfield is the lone newcomer.
About 75 supporters of UNC Asheville Athletics and the tennis teams, along with tennis alumni and athletics staff joined the coaches and student-athletes to celebrate the start of the 2020 spring season.
After supporters had an opportunity to chat with the teams, each coach went up to the front of the room to introduce their 2020 squad. Women's head coach Lise Gregory introduced the eight student-athletes of the women's team, followed by men's head coach Tom Hand, who introduced his nine student-athletes. Always a comedian, Hand got numerous laughs from the crowd on hand with jokes aplenty.
Following the introductions, the guests were able to ask a number of thoughtful questions of the head coaches before Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone closed things out by thanking everyone for attending.
"I think going into the season, I have pretty high expectations, and to have the support from our fans at every match is a huge help."
The women's team gets its season started first, as it will host Tusculum at the Asheville Racket Club, 1 p.m., Friday. The Bulldogs will stay at home for a 3 p.m., Sunday, matchup with UNC Greensboro, featuring a tailgate before the match.
In all, the women will have 11 matches at the Asheville Racquet Club, including each of their first six matches of the year.
They feature five returners from a squad that went 10-9 a season ago, led by seniors Emily Sidor and Lauren Watson-Steele. They are joined by juniors Anastasia Horvat and Taylor Love and sophomore Lize Alet Morkel. The team has three freshmen: Rosie Dickson, Ami Grace Dougah and Brianna Taranto.
"I think with the success we've had the last couple years, I think people are starting to see what we're capable of and I'm just excited for the season ahead."
The men's team gets its season underway when it travels to Greenville, N.C. for a pair of matches. The Bulldogs will match up with North Carolina Central at noon, Saturday, and will then face off against the home East Carolina Pirates at noon, Sunday.
Their first home match will be a 3 p.m. contest, Saturday, February 1, against James Madison. Overall, the men have eight home matches at the Asheville Racquet Club.
They are led by mostly familiar faces from last season's squad that went 20-5 and 6-2 in Big South play, including seniors Edward Colclough and James Massie. Juniors Finlay Ray McFadyen, Charlie Morkel and Oli Nolan return, as do sophomores Leo Bierbaum, Sirawit Daosaengsawang and Quinn Fender. Freshman Harry Thursfield is the lone newcomer.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
Thursday, June 18
Wednesday, March 18
Wednesday, March 11
Friday, February 06