The FGCU women’s tennis team eyes a return to the ASUN Conference Women’s Tennis Championship in 2024. Their season starts with the Bedford Cup at the FGCU Tennis Complex on Sept. 27-29. 

After obtaining several new faces over the offseason, Head Coach Courtney Vernon is focused on building up her roster after last season’s success as the Eagles finished with a 14-10 record and an ASUN Conference Women’s Tennis Championship appearance.

“We’re looking forward to the season,” Vernon said. “The out-of-conference matches will be very exciting, and we have a competitive conference, so it will be a great year with a lot of fun competition.”

As the Bedford Cup approaches, it presents a chance for new players freshmen Francisca Vergara and Nora Svensson to adjust to college tennis and for the whole team to gain valuable experience.

“Well, this is a great opportunity for Francisca and Nora to experience college tennis,” Vernon said. “It’s very different in the fall since we play more individual matches, but any chance to play at home is special. Playing in front of friends and family is neat for them.” 

With a difficult competition scheduled in the spring, Coach Vernon emphasized the importance of balancing the schedule to prepare for the ASUN competition.

The Eagles will face a tough schedule of 11 non-conference opponents, outside of tournament matches,  in preparation for their ASUN Conference play. After the Bedford Cup, FGCU will travel to the Southeast Regionals hosted by Georgia Tech University in Atlanta.

“Every match leading up to conference play is an opportunity to prepare,” Vernon said. “We balance the schedule with tough opponents and some easier matches to build confidence. We want to be playing the best in the country because our goal is to win the conference.” 

Coach Vernon is confident in her returning players and excited to see how they’ve grown during the off-season, particularly senior Isabella Colmenares, who played a key role last season.

“I see a lot of growth in Isabella. She played number two last year and has the potential to play very high again this year. Her growth has been tremendous, and we’re excited to watch her play her senior year,” Vernon said.

Colmenares, now a senior, has set clear goals for both herself and the team. After earning Second Team All-ASUN honors last year, she is determined to keep improving.

“For the Bedford Cup, my personal goal is to play well and have good feelings on the court,” Colmenares said. “For the spring season, our team goal is to make it to the tournament and win the ASUN championship.”

With a strong roster and a challenging schedule ahead, the FGCU women’s tennis team is poised for an exciting season. The focus will be on hard work, team unity and building momentum as they aim to bring home an ASUN title.

“Last season was great, and we’re trying to keep the energy going and work together as a team,” junior  Amelia Kopel said. “Even though tennis is an individual sport, we’re focusing on having a great attitude and working hard in practice.”