The College of Staten Island women’s tennis team will be at the courts today for their CUNYAC opener, looking to shake off a 0-2 start.  The Dolphins square off against John Jay College in a match that will be played at Cunningham Park in Flushing at 4pm.  CSI has been idle since Sunday, while the Bloodhounds come in with a head of steam, recently winning their opener against Brooklyn College on Wednesday.

CSI vs. JOHN JAY AT-A-GLANCE
Matchup:  College of Staten Island (0-2 Overall, 0-0 CUNYAC) vs. John Jay College (1-0 Overall, 1-0 CUNYAC)
Where:  Cunningham Park – 196th Place, Queens, NY
First Serve: 4:00 pm
Last Year’s Result:  CSI won, 8-1
Players to Watch (CSI): Senior Michelle Kushnir has logged CSI’s only win on the young season in Singles play and dropped her opener via a third set tiebreak.  This is a great sign considering that the senior has advanced two pegs in the lineup this season and is playing very good tennis.  Aziza Jurabaeva made her 2016 debut this past Sunday, and will look to anchor the No. 3 position.  Nozima Toshpulatova in the No. 1 position will be looking to bank her first victory today as well.
Players to Watch (JJC):  Bernarda Reyes in the team’s ace this season, and she scored a big win at the No. 1 position against Brooklyn on Wednesday and will look to more success today.  Right there with her is No. 2 Viktoria Plisenko, who also scored a win and teamed with Reyes for a win at No. 1 Doubles as well.  Gabriella Baez (No. 3) also scored wins in singles and doubles on Wednesday and will look to score big today as well. 
News and Notes: The Dolphins have had the better of things in the series of late, winning the last eight contests going back to 2007.  John Jay’s last victory in the series came back in October of 2007 as part of the CUNYAC Tournament Quarterfinals.  The Dolphins took last year’s meeting, 8-1.  Today is the Dolphins’ road opener this year.  CSI was quite good on the road last season, posting a 6-1 overall record.  John Jay has already matched their win total from last season.  The Bloodhounds finished just 1-10 a year ago.