Kats open fall tennis schedule
Oct. 6—With a roster that combines the experience of five returning veterans with the talent of two promising newcomers, the 2023-24 Sam Houston women's tennis team begins its fall tournament schedule this weekend at the Joe Pyburn Memorial Invitational hosted by Lamar University.
Two freshmen will be making their NCAA Division I college debuts this weekend. India Fenieys brings a solid record from France where she ranked among the country's top 15 juniors and won three ITF junior doubles titles. Roberta Sechi, a nationally ranked junior in Italy brings a solid record from play in international junior events in France, Spain and the Netherlands.
Seniors Paula Cerda and Sahithi Vutukuru both bring three seasons of NCAA Division I experience to the table. The pair look to be the leaders for this year's squad.
A three-year Bearkat letter-winner, Vutukuru was a member of Bearkats' 2021 Southland Conference championship team. Cerda led last year's team with 16 singles wins in dual match and tournament play. Before joining the SHSU program as a transfer, she posted records of 22-15 in singles and 26-9 in doubles in her two seasons at Stephen F. Austin.
Sophomores Aaliyah Hohmann, Vianne Schwab and Linn Svaerd are back after winning varsity letters as freshman last spring. The trio alternated dual match action at the number four, five and six positions and saw extensive action in doubles as well. Yasmin El Fadili also returns for her sophomore season as a Bearkat.
"It's always exciting to finally get the opportunity to play against other teams when the fall tournament schedule begins," Bearkat head coach Rob Hubbard said. "These young ladies have been practicing hard and are looking forward to the chance to test themselves against competition from other top teams. The Lamar tournament will give our freshmen their first taste of Division I tennis and they're looking forward to it."
The Lamar tournament has been a mainstay in Sam Houston's fall tennis schedule in past years. This year's field includes former Southland Conference rivals Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, UTSA, Stephen F. Austin and host Lamar.
Again in 2023, the event will be played on the Lamar campus. A flighted tournament, first place trophies will be awarded to the winners of the number one through six singles and one through three doubles competitions. Following this weekend, the Kats will play in the ITA Regionals hosted by Baylor University Oct. 14-15, the annual Bearkat Invitational in Huntsville October 27-29 and the Ragin' Cajun Invitational at Lafayette, La. November 3-5.
