ST. PETER, Minn. – The No. 29-ranked Gustavus women’s tennis team is set to begin its 2018 spring campaign tomorrow afternoon at Saint Leo University, followed by a match at Rollins University on Friday.
The Gusties will match up against the Lions of Saint Leo, the No. 24-ranked team in Division II, at 3 p.m. (EST) tomorrow from Saint Leo Tennis Complex Tennis Center in Saint Leo, Fla. On Friday, Gustavus is taking on Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla. The match is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. (EST) from Bert Martin Tennis Complex.
“The girls are very excited to get back into it,” said Head Coach Jon Carlson. “They did a lot more in the offseason that we have in the past years, for two reasons; I think they know that the conference is going to be as tough as its been in a long time, and also they just like hanging out with each other so that is good for our team bonding, trusting one another, and growing as a team.”
2017 Fall Season
The fall campaign was headlined by a Briana Hartmann (Jr., Owatonna, Minn.) ITA Midwest Regional singles title. As one of eight region champions, Hartmann captured the 41st All-America award in the history of Gustavus women’s tennis and the first since 2011. Advancing to the ITA Oracle Cup, Hartmann earned the consolation title, capping her fall season with an 8-1 record. Hartmann ranks fifth nationally and second regionally.
Reigning MIAC Playoff Champs
The Gusties won their second consecutive MIAC Playoff title last spring, defeating No. 1 seeded Carleton College 5-2 in Northfield, Minn. Gustavus swept doubles and took two of four singles matches played to decision, receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships. In its 25th national tournament appearance, the Gusties advanced to a regional final with wins over St. Norbert and Kenyon College, prior to falling 5-1 against the University of Chicago.
The Black and Gold return 11 student-athletes from last year’s roster while welcoming four newcomers. Among the returners include 2017 MIAC All-Conference honorees Katie Aney (Sr., Rochester, Minn.), Ally Baker (Sr., Rosemout, Minn.), and Bri Hartmann. The 2018 squad also features 10 upperclassmen with five juniors and five seniors.
Head Coach Jon Carlson is in his 28th season leading the Gusties this season after claiming the program’s seventh league playoff title last year since the MIAC initiated a postseason tournament in 2007. The Black and Gold finished the 2016-17 season with a 21-8 overall record and 9-1 mark during conference play, finishing second in the MIAC standings.
“It is interesting, we lost some important seniors from last year,” Carlson commented. “The juniors from last year that our now seniors have really stepped up and have been great leaders. They have done a great job making sure that everybody knows they’re an important part of what we’re trying to accomplish and helping them grow as a player and teammate. It is one of those cool things that gets passed down from year to year.”
Gusties selected to finish tied for second in MIAC Women’s Tennis Preseason Coaches’ Poll
In late January, the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference released the 2018 MIAC Women’s Tennis Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The MIAC Coaches voted the Gusties to tie for second place with the University of St. Thomas with two first-place votes and 89 total points. 2017 regular season champion Carleton was picked to finish first with 93 points.