USF Athletics

USF Heads to California For ITA Kickoff Tournament

January 24, 2020

TAMPA, Jan. 24, 2020 – The University of South Florida women's tennis team is traveling to Stanford, Calif. this weekend for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Kickoff Tournament. This is the 12^th annual Intercollegiate Tennis Association Kickoff Weekend, which will take place at 26 different facilities across the United States.
 
South Florida is coming off two strong wins against Cornell and Stetson but will face its hardest competition of the season this weekend. The Bulls faceoff against No.1 ranked Stanford on Saturday at 2 p.m., and will play against either Denver or Washington State on Sunday at 2 p.m. The winner between USF, Stanford, Denver, and Washington State will advance to the 2020 ITA National Women's Team Indoor Championships Feb. 7-10 in Chicago.
 
"I really wanted them to see what the ultimate of college tennis is, and Stanford has such a tradition there of not only great players but championships" said head coach Cristina Moros. "I think the key for us is to really make sure that we come out swinging right from the gates. If we start a little intimidated, they're just going to run with it. I think it's important that we make sure that we are ready for that."
 
The women's tennis team plans to follow the success of sophomores Amelie Boy (Trianon, Mauritius) and Laura Pellicer Perello (Gandia, Valencia, Spain). Both Boy and Perello have put on phenomenal performances in South Florida's home opening weekend and are undefeated in their singles matches for this season.
 
Scouting the Opponent:
Stanford
Stanford is the reigning 2019 NCAA Champion, and has been crowned national champions three out of the last four years. This will be the first meeting between the two teams.
 
Stanford is led by No. 7 ranked junior Michaela Gordon, three-time All-American and 2019 Pac-12 Singles Player of the Year, and will also be led by junior Janice Shin, who is ranked No.49 in singles and was named to the 2019 NCAA All-Tournament Team (No. 5 singles, No. 3 doubles).
 
 
About Women's Tennis
Be sure to follow USF women's tennis on social media (Twitter / Facebook / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. Head coach Cristina Moros will be in her sixth year at the helm, as she led the program to an American Athletic Conference Championship in 2017.