MATCH ONE
MATCHUP: No. 18 Florida
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023
TIME: 1:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Tampa, Fla.
SITE: USF Varsity Tennis Courts
 
By Joey Johnston
 
TAMPA (Jan. 21, 2023) – USF women's tennis coach Cristina Moros said she's optimistic the Bulls will improve into American Athletic Conference contenders this season.
 
The Bulls return a pair of All-AAC players — Freshman of the Year Sierra Berry (11-10) and Grace Schumacher (10-8) — along with senior Laura Pellicer (9-6).
 
"They all had winning records, so it gives you a good feeling to have that kind of returning experience,'' said Moros, whose Bulls open the season Sunday afternoon at 1:30 against the Florida Gators.
 
But Moros is most enthused about USF's five newcomers, who she believes will provide superior depth and fill out the Bulls' lineup in a solid manner that wasn't seen much last season.
 
"Last year, we were having trouble winning matches at the back of the lineup,'' Moros said. "We feel like we've recruited players who will make us more complete and more consistent.''
 
USF showed flashes of excellence last season, but mostly fell short. The Bulls earned a No. 9 seed in the AAC Tournament and upset the No. 1-seeded UCF Knights 4-3 in the quarterfinals.
 
"That gave us a spark and it showed us what was possible,'' Berry said.
 
"It was a huge positive and it allowed us to finish the season on somewhat of a positive note,'' Schumacher said. "Obviously, that's something we want to build upon. And I think we're capable of that.''
 
For the Bulls to excel, Berry and Schumacher must raise their games to new levels.
 
"After last season, obviously Sierra is confident and believes she's in a good spot,'' Moros said. "But she has some pressure on her. Last year, she played with no pressure and now she has a target on her. So the challenge is how she handles it.
 
"Same with Grace. We're expecting certain things from her and she has the ability to be one of our leaders. The thing is both of those players will be pushed now. We have a very competitive lineup with our new players, so I don't think anybody will have anything locked up. And that's a good thing. When you have a group you need to hold back instead of pushing forward, it's always a good thing.''
 
USF's newcomers are highlighted by top-flight freshman Ireland Simme of Austin, Texas; Cliona Walsh, an Ireland native who was that nation's top player in the 18-and-under division; UCF transfer Nadja Bay Christians; Mississippi State transfer Marta Falceto Font; and freshman Sabrina Ibarra from the South Florida town of Weston.
 
Walsh was particularly productive in the fall, winning four of six singles matches at the International Tennis Association Southeast Regionals in Atlanta to reach the quarterfinals of the consolation bracket.
 
"Personally, I'm very excited with our lineup,'' Berry said. "I think this team is really ready to compete at a high level.''
 
"With five new players, in a way, it's like a whole new team,'' Schumacher said. "I think we've separated from last season, when maybe we didn't do as well at times. I think we are highly motivated and we're extremely excited to play (against Florida) on Sunday. It's a great way to start.''
 
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 is in her eighth year at the helm, as she led the program to an American Athletic Conference Championship in 2017.