PENSACOLA, Fla. UWF women’s tennis coach Derrick Racine enters his 12th season as the West Florida Head Coach after another successful year. Under Racine's leadership, the Argonauts have consistently reached the NCAA Tournament. The outcome of the 2007-08 season was gratifying, since the team reached higher goals than expected.

Ranked as low as No. 18 in the country, the Argonauts stepped up after an unusual beginning of season to reach the quarterfinals of nationals and earn a national ranking of No. 6 in Division II. For 2009, the Argonauts enter the season ranked sixth in the country and third in the South Region.

Gui Jasmin graduated in 2008 and now enters his first year as an assistant coach and will experience the game from outside the lines. Jasmin will bring his five-year playing experience, two from Barton County College and three for the Argonauts, including a redshirt year, to pass to the current players. Also joining the coaching staff, Danielle Moita will help the Argonauts reach their goals. Moita, a Brazilian native, has played in the Division II level for East Central University before transferring to the Division I level, where she played for the Winthrop Eagles. Moita has also been an assistant coach for the Eagles once her eligibility expired.

With five regular starters returning for the 2008-09 season, the Argonauts once again have set high expectations and goals as a team. From the 2007-08 season, the Argonauts only graduated doubles All-American Paola Arevalo. To replace this important player, the West Florida women’s tennis team will count on seven players debuting as an Argonaut, including four freshmen and three transfer students. Out of these seven new additions to the lineup, four players are expected to play in the top eight. With a very talented squad from top to bottom, the Argonauts are confident to compete among the top Division II squads.

Bringing experience to the lineup, three seniors are expected to lead the Argonauts on and off the courts. Three singles All-Americans, and one in doubles, the three seniors were members of the 2006 and 2007 GSC Championships champs and the 2007 NCAA D-II finalists. Suzanna Cavalcante enters her senior year as the top player in singles and doubles for the Argonauts.  Cavalcante finished last season ranked No. 3 in the country in singles and No. 4 in doubles. Cavalcante is currently nationally ranked No. 2 in singles and No. 24 in doubles (w/ Paulina Ojeda). Renata Mattos, a 2009 All-GSC team member, is the second senior from the West Florida squad in 2009. Mattos will be playing for the Argonauts for the third time, as she has transferred from Brenau University after her freshman year. Renata was ranked as high as No. 43 in singles in 2008, and is currently nationally ranked No. 12 in doubles (w/Taylor Brewster). With an all around game, Mattos will also be playing in the top singles and doubles spots. The third senior of the squad, Tatiana Rodrigues enters her senior year, and she will bring her experience from three years as an Argonaut to help the squad in one more successful run.

Returning from last year, sophomores Taylor Brewster and Lorena Rebolledo join the Argonauts for another attempt at a national title. Taylor Brewster added experience to her powerful game and will help the team in singles and doubles. Last season, Brewster played No. 4 singles and No. 2 doubles, and is currently nationally No. 12 in doubles (w/ Mattos).  Rebolledo also comes back after her first year as a college player. Rebolledo will be adding depth to the lineup this year and will be an important piece for the Argonauts.

Top newcomers include two transfers. Paulina Ojeda, a native from Chile transferring from Benedictine University, will be a great addition to the lineup. Ojeda has had a great junior career and a great freshman year in Kansas. Ojeda is currently nationally ranked No. 15 in division II in singles and No. 24 in doubles (w/ Cavalcante). Paulina is expected to play in the top spot in both singles and doubles. Yana Bokareva is a sophomore Russian transfer from University of South Alabama. Bokareva has played for the Jaguars during her freshman year, and sat down in 2008 due to a medical redshirt. Yana has a very solid game with great footwork, and is expected to bring her experience from the Division I level in order to help the Argonauts in singles and doubles.

Top freshmen newcomers include two locals and a foreign player who have had great high school careers and are expected to have the same success in the college level, helping the Argos in the next four years. Cammie Gray, a freshman from Shalimar, Fla. will be joining the Argonauts in 2009. Gray is the only left-handed player on the squad, and has a consistent game, which will help the Argos this season. Caitlyn Baines is from Panama City Beach, Fla. and joins the West Florida squad to help the Argos in one more successful run. Baines has a powerful game with a great serve and is expected to be a great help not only in singles, but also in doubles. Naomi Higa is an Argentinean native who is also adding depth to the squad’s lineup. Higa has a great consistent baseline game and will help the Argonauts a lot in singles. Also Joining the West Florida, Pensacola natives Amanda McBride and Courtney Lepinay will be adding depth to the lineup. Lepinay is a transfer from Lee University, where she played for the Lady Flames for two consecutive years. McBride enters her first year as a college player and with her powerful game, she will also add depth to the squad.

“This will be a great year for the West Florida women’s team. We have a nice depth in the lineup, and we feel the we have a shot to reach our goals”, said Gui Jasmin, UWF women’s tennis assistant coach. “We are very strong in doubles this year, like no other year that I have been here as a player, and I believe this will be the key to our success. The coaching staff and the players believe we have a shot at the national title”

The Argos will open their season against top GSC rival University of West Alabama on February 10th, at the Ralph “Skeeter” Carson Tennis Complex located at the UWF main campus. Following the season opener the Argonauts will meet defending national champions Armstrong-Atlantic. The Argonauts return to their home court on February 19th. For more information, log on to www.GoArgos.com