College Tennis News - No. 25 Rebels to Open Season in Hawaii

Julia Jones

OXFORD, Miss. - Coming off their sixth consecutive NCAA appearance last year, the No. 25 ranked Ole Miss women's tennis team is positioned for a banner 2015 season with an experienced team returning and the addition of a talented recruiting class. Friday, the Rebels will say Aloha to the season as they face the University of Hawai'i at 8 p.m. CT at the UH Tennis Complex.

Following the match against Hawai'i, the Rebels will face Washington Saturday at 4 p.m. CT.

"We are excited to get the season started," said head coach Mark Beyers, in his 14th year leading the Rebels. "This Hawai'i trip is good for team bonding and an opportunity for us to get some good early season matches in. We had a solid fall, which contributed to our preseason ranking, but we are excited to improve on it as the spring continues."

Scouting Hawai'i ...
Hawai'i upset No. 29 Kentucky Tuesday, 4-3, in their first dual match of the season. The Rainbow Wahine is led by sophomore Cindy Nguyen, who became the first tennis player in school history to compete in the NCAA Singles Championship in 2014. Nguyen posted a 22-5 overall record last year.

Rebels vs. the `Bows ...
This will be the second meeting between the two schools. In the Rebels last trip to Hawai'i (2012), they downed the `Bows 6-1. Seniors Julia Jones and Erin Stephens played in that match as freshmen.

Senior Trio to Lead Rebels ...
Four years ago, Julia Jones, Erin Stephens and Iris Verboven came in together as freshmen on a Rebel squad that was experienced with three seniors, including current volunteer assistant Kristi Boxx. Now, it's Jones, Stephens and Verboven's turn to lead.

Jones on the Move ...
Senior Julia Jones made the All-Freshman Team in 2012, and then last year earned All-SEC second team honors. In the latest ITA Singles Rankings, Jones earned a career-high ranking of No. 20 after an outstanding fall. The St. Petersburg, Florida native won the ITA Southern Regional Championship in the fall and finished 10-3. She will lead the Rebels at the top of the lineup.

Talkin' with Jones ...
"I am excited to be ranked No. 20, but I don't want to stop there. I want to keep getting better and finish out my career on a high note. We have a good team, and I am looking forward to the season, because I believe we can have a great year."

The 100 Watch ...
Entering her final semester playing for the Rebels, senior Julia Jones needs just 17 wins to become the fifth player in program history to join the 100-club in singles. She currently has 83 wins.

Fab Frosh ...
Freshman Arianne Hartono begins the spring as the fourth highest ranked freshman in the country at No. 33. She posted a 9-4 record in the fall and captured the Country Club of Little Rock Invitational. Hartono also teams up with Mai El Kamash for a ranking of No. 45 in doubles. The Rebels' other freshman, Natalie Suk, is ranked No. 56 in doubles with sophomore Zalina Khairudinova.

Home Opener ...
The Rebels will return home to host Jackson State in a doubleheader Saturday, Jan. 24 at 11 a.m., at the Gillom Sports Center.

Tough Schedule Awaits ...
The Rebels will face eight teams ranked in the top 25 and 14 in the top 50 this season. Two teams in the top 10 will visit Oxford this year, No. 8 Alabama and No. 10 Texas A&M.

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