Women’s Tennis Primed for Strong Spring

What it might lack in numbers the seven-member Georgia Gwinnett College women’s tennis team isn’t short on skill on the court as the four-time defending NAIA national champions.

Three returning NAIA All-Americans and another key contributor to the 2019 title team lead three newcomers as the Grizzlies prepare to face another challenging spring schedule. Those tests begin Jan. 31. The team’s entire schedule can be found HERE.

GGC women’s tennis program has earned five national titles since 2014 and its teams have posted an 82-5 record during the past four seasons. They have been a fixture atop the NAIA national rankings during that stretch.

And, the expectations are for more success to follow this spring after being selected No. 1 in the NAIA preseason poll.

Senior Madeline Bosnjak is a two-time first NAIA All-America team selection who has been the most outstanding player of the past two national championship tournaments. She enters the 2020 season as the country’s No. 3 ranked singles player.

Classmate Emerald Able earned first NAIA All-America team accolades the last two springs, after being an honorable mention selection in 2017. She has scored points in doubles and singles for three national championship teams.

“Madeline and Emerald are such a strong doubles team, while also being talented in singles. I’m excited to see what our lineup could potentially be with strong players on every court,” said Hodges, a perennial NAIA National Coach of the Year candidate. 

Sophomore Tereza Koplova enters the season with a No. 4 national singles ranking after advancing to the semifinals of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s Oracle Cup during the fall campaign. She won 15 of her 16 singles matches during her freshman campaign.

Senior Debora Scurt has been a valuable doubles player on three straight NAIA national championship teams, and will be a key component to the 2020 team.

Newcomers include junior Maria Genovese, who made a big splash last fall by reaching the final match of the ITA Oracle Cup. She enters this spring as the nation’s No. 2-ranked singles and also is expected to play a major role in doubles.

Freshmen Selina Pichler and Yelyzaveta Velykorodna also will compete for playing time on the court for the Grizzlies this season. Velykorodna has a No. 13 singles national ranking after her first collegiate competition last fall.

“If healthy, we’re going to have a lot of success. Our lineup is set up to be very successful,” says Hodges.

GGC’s spring season begins with a match at NCAA Division II Lander University (S.C.) on Jan. 31 in Greenwood, S.C. The home opener at the GGC Tennis Facility is set for Feb. 12 against Division III Emory University (Ga.).