ASU will open the 2016 season Saturday, Jan. 30 when they play host to Southern Mississippi.  The match is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at the Olean Black Underwood Tennis Complex.
 
"We are excited about getting the season started and to start it against a quality opponent like Southern Mississippi," Head Coach Anuk Christiansz said.  "The ladies have been working hard and we are expecting great things from them this season."
 
The Lady Hornets are coming off a 10-11 season, which is the second consecutive season ASU has reached double digits in wins.  They finished 4-3 in conference action and once again made it to the semifinals of the SWAC Championship where they lost to eventual champion Southern.
 
The Lady Hornets return seven players from last year's squad including First Team All-SWAC selection Irina Cvijovick who finished the season undefeated in conference action at 7-0 and went 12-6 on the season.
 
Nicole Tekelova capped off a stellar freshman campaign by being named Second Team All-SWAC after finishing 8-4 overall in singles play and 3-1 in the conference.
 
For the second consecutive season Cvijovick and her doubles partner Brankica Orlovic were named Second Team All-SWAC in doubles.  The duo finished 6-7 overall and 3-1 in the SWAC.
 
Also returning for the Lady Hornets will be Marine Cartier (9-4 singles/10-7 doubles), Brianna Fairley (3-6 singles/1-5 doubles), Arantxia Wijingaarde (5-15 singles/10-10 doubles) and Matabe Akoachere (9-11 singles/4-11 doubles).
 
ASU has added two talented newcomers in Grabiela Lackova and Patricia Regel to the roster.  Both players could find themselves among the top six players once the Lady Hornets hit the courts.
 
"We finally have built some depth on the women's side and that is something I am very proud of," Christiansz said.  "We had no depth when we got here four years ago and to see how far the women's program has come is a testament to their hard work.  The competition has been superb and we now feel over the course of the season when we have nagging injuries we have the depth for someone to step in and keep on going.  It could be a really fun season."
 
The Lady Hornets will also play host to Presbyterian College Sunday, Jan. 31 at noon.