The College of Staten Island women’s tennis team is ready to get its 2016 season underway, and the new installment to the Dolphins will see them host UMass-Boston for the first time in program history at the CSI Tennis Center, at 1:00pm. It will be the season opener for both teams.
CSI vs. UMASS-BOSTON AT-A-GLANCE
Matchup: College of Staten Island (0-0 Overall, 0-0 CUNYAC) vs. UMass-Boston (0-0 Overall, 0-0 LEC)
Where: CSI Tennis Center – 2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY
First Serve: 1:00 pm
Players to Watch (CSI): The College will have four returning players to their lineup in 2016 and all four are expected to contribute in big ways. No. 1 Singles ace Nozima Toshpulatova joins Michelle Kushnir as the only two seniors on the squad. Toshpulatova scored a 7-8 record at the pole position, while Kushnir spent a majority of time in the No. 4 position, posting an 8-1 mark there. Joining the Dolphins after a one-year hiatus is Aziza Jurabaeva, who spent a majority of time at the No. 3 position in 2014, what was then her freshman season.
Players to Watch (UMASS): The Beacons will be led on the court by junior Kristy Garcia, who is the active wins leader with 30 since her arrival and was a 2nd team Little East All-Star last year. Kelsey Shea and Vicky Woytowicz are also anchors to a squad comprised of heavy veteran leadership.
News and Notes: This is the first meeting ever between the two teams in their respective histories. The CSI women finished 14-5 a year ago, falling eventually in the CUNYAC semifinals after winning back-to-back CUNYAC Championships in 2013-2014. The Beacons finished 6-7 a year ago, placing 4-4 in a highly-competitive LEC Conference. The Boston squad will stay in the New York area, and play Farmingdale State College tomorrow, while CSI will host Yeshiva University.
