NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Following a season where it set a program record for single-season dual-match wins (27) and made it to the Round of 16 of the NCAA Tournament, the Vanderbilt women’s tennis team begin their quest to better last season’s results during the 2002-03 season. The Commodores begin their journey on Friday when they take part in the Furman Fall Classic in Greenville, S.C.

Along with Vanderbilt, the 2002 Furman Fall Classic field includes the host Paladins, Clemson, Iowa, Middle Tennessee State, South Carolina and Wisconsin. All seven teams competing this weekend finished the 2001-02 season ranked in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association top 75.

Expectations will once again be high for Vanderbilt head coach Geoff Macdonald’s team. The opportunity for another successful campaign starts at the top of the line-up. Senior Sarah Riske, who played No. 1 for the Commodores last season, enters the year ranked No. 10 in the preseason ITA rankings. Riske, along with junior Aleke Tsoubanos, also earned the distinguished honor of being ranked preseason No. 1 in doubles by the ITA. Both players are coming off a solid 2001-02 season, where they earned ITA All-American honors after making the quarterfinals of the NCAA doubles championship. Tsoubanos also had a successful singles season last year, as she compiled a 16-2 record in dual matches.

While the Commodores only have seven members on this year’s roster, each player has a chance to win every time they step out onto the court. Macdonald will unfortunately be without the services of junior Annie Menees for the Fall season, as she is recovering from a foot injury. Menees is expected to be ready for action once the dual season kicks off in January.

Junior Kelly Schmandt has been one of Macdonald’s reliable players since arriving on campus back in 2000. Schmandt, who enters the season ranked No. 53 in the preseason ITA rankings, finished last season with a singles record of 24-3 and over her first two seasons is 51-9.

Junior Kori Scott and sophomore Audra Falk also had productive seasons for the Commodores in 2001-02. Scott finished the season with a 15-7 in singles, while Falk amassed a 21-4 mark. Falk also compiled a 16-4 dual match record while competing mostly at the No. 5 and 6 positions. Freshman Ashley Schellhas is expected to contribute immediately, especially with Menees being out for the Fall.

The women’s team will compete in three Fall tournament in 2002, which includes the University of Tennessee Invitational (Oct. 4-6) and the June Stewart Invitational at Vanderbilt (Oct. 18-20).