CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Winthrop women's tennis heads to Chapel Hill, N.C. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 26-27 for the ITA Kick-Off Weekend to open the 2018 spring season. The Eagles will take on No. 5 UNC on Friday at 1:30 p.m. The outcome of Friday's matches will determine their opponent and match time on Saturday. Illinois and William & Mary round out the bracket.

"The ITA Kick-Off is a great way to get the season started," said Winthrop head coach Cid Carvalho. "With the top 60 teams in the country competing in 24 sites across the country, the competition will be great. We are excited to be part of this event and looking forward to playing."

 

Winthrop (0-0) at UNC (4-0)
Date:	Fri., Jan. 26, 1:30 p.m.
Location:	Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center
Live Stats:	Click here

 




 

Winthrop vs. Illinois/William & Mary
Date:	Sat., Jan. 27, 3:30 pm OR 6 p.m.
Location:	Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center
Live Stats:	Click here

 
PRESEASON FAVORITE
The Winthrop women's tennis team has been predicted to finish first in the Big South Conference by the league's coaches, receiving all but one of the first-place votes. This year's selection marks the 15th consecutive year Winthrop has been voted the preseason favorite by the coaches. Winthrop won the league title last season, the program's 19th conference championship overall.
 
HISTORIC NATIONAL RANKING
Junior Lauren Proctor is ranked No. 15 in the Oracle/ITA Division I Women's National Singles Rankings. She is currently the only student-athlete nationally ranked from the Big South Conference and the highest-ranked player from any school in South Carolina.  Proctor had a history-making fall season, winning the ITA Carolinas Regional title for the first time in program history.

On the doubles side, Proctor and partner Megan Kauffman entered at No. 50 in the Oracle/ITA Division I Women's National Doubles Rankings after a strong fall performance as well.

EYEING THE BRACKET
ACC foe North Carolina is ranked No. 5 in the latest ITA/Oracle team rankings. In October, then-No. 55 Lauren Proctor defeated then-No. 22 Jessie Aney (UNC) in the quarterfinals and Marika Akkerman (UNC) in Round 2 at the ITA Regional Championships. The Tar Heels are off to a 4-0 start on the season, sweeping all of their first four opponents. Illinois is 2-0 so far with wins over Florida State and Eastern Illinois. The Illini's Asuka Kawai is ranked No. 114 in the nation. William & Mary enters the weekend 1-2, with losses to Power 5 opponents UNC and Tennessee and a win over Florida Atlantic. The Tribe also boast a ranked player in No. 68 Clara Tanielian. 
 
UP NEXT
After this weekend's ITA Kick-Off matches, the Eagles will be on the road at Charlotte on Tues., Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. Winthrop's first home match is Sat., Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. versus College of Charleston at Rock Hill Tennis Center.
 
TENNIS PREVIEW EVENT
The Winthrop men's and women's tennis teams are joining with area tennis enthusiasts to host a Tennis Preview Event at Springfield Clubhouse in Fort Mill, S.C. on Sat., Feb. 3 from 2-5 p.m. The event will include light refreshments, raffle prizes, an alumni mixed doubles exhibition, and the opportunity to meet and greet the 2017-18 Winthrop tennis squads. For more information and to RSVP, contact Judy Longshaw at longshawj@winthrop.edu.
 
BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Mark your calendars - Winthrop is hosting the Big South Conference Championship in men's and women's tennis April 17-21. More information on match times and locations will be available at a later date.