Lee Today

The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) released their Preseason Rankings for the 2023 Women's Tennis season. The Nova Southeastern Sharks, under the direction of Head Coach Doug Neagle, begin the season ranked second in the poll.  

"It's amazing and shows how tough the Sunshine State Conference is with three teams inside the top-five in the national rankings," said Neagle. "We have an experienced roster, with four players in their final collegiate season, that is hungrier and more motivated than ever. We want to keep it simple by just working hard and trying to get better each day. I like our chemistry and can't wait to get this season started." 

The Sharks enjoyed an impressive run during their fall schedule, with Natalie Espinal and Fatiya Bizhukova dominating in doubles action to earn the ITA Doubles National Title. The duo enters the spring semester as the top-ranked doubles tandem in Division II ITA. Julie Razafindranaly, the Sharks top singles player, ended the fall season ranked eighth individually in Division II and third in the South Region. In addition to Razafindranaly, Espinal is the 39th ranked singles women's tennis player in Division II, while Bizhukova (13th) and Eva Goncharov (16th) are also regionally ranked.  

Joining the second-ranked Sharks in the preseason polls are Sunshine State Conference foes top-ranked Barry, No. 3 Saint Leo and sixth-ranked Lynn. To view the complete rankings, click here.  

No. 2 Nova Southeastern begins its spring season on Wednesday, February 1, taking on Florida National from the NSU Tennis Complex at Rollins Hills. First Serve is set for 2 p.m. 

Original source can be found here.