Friday, January 26
Dayton, Ohio
1:00 p.m.
University of Toledo
at
Dayton
Senior Shalini Tallamraju enters this weekend’s matches on a 12-match winning streak.
Photo by: Bree Bee
Toledo Begins 2024 Campaign at Dayton
1/25/2024 12:30:00 PM | Women's Tennis
Defending MAC Champion Rockets begin 2024 season on the road this weekend with back-to-back matches at Dayton and 2023 Big East Champions Xavier
TOLEDO, Ohio – The Toledo women's tennis team will begin its season on the road with back-to-back matches at Dayton on Friday, Jan. 26 followed by 2023 Big East Champion Xavier on Saturday, Jan. 27.
About the Rockets
Toledo is coming off a historic 2022-23 season, claiming its first Mid-American Conference championship with an undefeated 10-0 record in league play. Head Coach Tracy Mauntler received MAC Women's Tennis Coach of the Year last year and brings 244 career wins into her 21st season as head coach. UT has been picked to repeat as MAC Champions in the 2024 Preseason Coaches Poll.
UT ended last season ranked No. 7 in the Midwest Region, No. 17 in the Mid-Major rankings, and No. 71 in the ITA national poll. Toledo spent nine consecutive weeks in the national poll, reaching a program-best No. 58 in the country after defeating Florida Gulf Coast, which was ranked No. 70 at the time.
Two-time MAC Player of the Year Cassie Alcala returns for her senior campaign with a career 140-48 combined record, which ranks No. 3 in Toledo's record book. Alcala compiled a 26-6 singles record and an 18-12 doubles (8-0 MAC) record last season. She started last season on a 14-match winning streak and clinched match points for UT against Louisiana Tech, Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois, Ball State, and Buffalo and earned MAC Player of the Week honors twice.
Also returning for the Rockets are three-time All-MAC honoree Sloane Teske (137-68 career), two-time MAC All-Tournament Team honoree Shalini Tallamraju (93-44 career), senior Julia Kuszynski (89-70 career), and sophomore Sanjana Tallamraju (41-21 career).
Teske finished last season with a 24-8 record and was 8-2 against league opponents from the No. 2 court. She currently sits in the No. 2 spot for career singles wins at 77, and No. 5 all-time for overall career wins with 137.Â
A Second-Team All-MAC honoree, Shalini Tallamraju registered the best singles season by a Rocket in a single season, compiling a 29-3 (10-0 MAC) record and ending the season on a career-high 12-match winning streak from the No. 3 court.
Sanjana Tallamraju and Kuszynski paired up as the No. 2 doubles team last season, compiled a team-best 12-4 record, and ended the season on a five-match winning streak. Tallamraju went 16-6 (8-2 MAC) in singles play last spring, mostly from the No. 5 court, and claimed the only individual victory against Purdue. Kuszynski went 12-9 in dual competition and clinched match point for UT against FGCU, Miami, and Bowling Green.
"These seniors have worked incredibly hard to put this program in such a strong position heading into our 2024 season," Mauntler said. "They have learned a lot of hard lessons along the way, but I've always been so proud of the way they used the lessons. They bounce back like no other squad I've ever had. They share this common competitiveness which drives practice every single day."
Mauntler added freshmen Gaby Rondon and Jone Ibanez, along with junior transfer Audrey Moutama to the roster this season, and is impressed on how they have already impacted the program during the team's fall competition.
"Our newcomers have fit right into our culture and have learned about the expectations of what it means to be on this team. They are improving at a rapid rate, and they will impact both the singles and doubles lineup this year. We are excited to get started this weekend."
Fall Season Recap
Toledo had an eventful fall season, compiling a 65-42 record over four tournaments. Alcala and Rondon were recognized at the BGSU Dynamic Duos for their undefeated singles and doubles records. Alcala reached the Round of 32 at the ITA Midwest Regionals, and broke the Toledo program record for career singles wins at 82.
About Dayton
Dayton opened the spring last weekend with a 4-3 defeat to Bowling Green and a 7-0 loss at Miami. The Rockets played the Flyers this fall at the Rocket Indoor Invitational (Oct. 27-28). Toledo has swept Dayton in its last three matches, the last being on March 20, 2011, at home.
About Xavier
Xavier is the three-time defending Big East Champions, compiling a 14-8 record in 2022-23 with an undefeated 3-0 league record. The Musketeers made their fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament and fell to Ohio State (4-0) in the first round. Xavier's roster features 2023 Big East Player of the Year Imani Graham, and 2023 Big East Freshman of the Year Abby Nugent. Xavier is 1-1 entering this weekend following a sweep of Northern Kentucky and a shutout by Purdue. Toledo lost its last battle with Xavier, a 4-3 defeat on March 14, 2015 at home.
Toledo vs. Dayton
Miamisburg, Ohio | South Regency Tennis Center
Friday, Jan. 26 | 1:00 p.m.
Toledo vs. Xavier
Cincinnati, Ohio | Eastern Hills Indoor Tennis Center
Saturday, Jan. 27 | 4:30 p.m.
Live Video
What's Next
Toledo will visit Cleveland State on Friday, Feb. 2 before hosting UIC in the first home match of the season on Sunday, Feb. 4 at Twos Athletic Club.
Follow the Rockets
Be sure to follow the Rockets' women's tennis team on social media:
Â
About the Rockets
Toledo is coming off a historic 2022-23 season, claiming its first Mid-American Conference championship with an undefeated 10-0 record in league play. Head Coach Tracy Mauntler received MAC Women's Tennis Coach of the Year last year and brings 244 career wins into her 21st season as head coach. UT has been picked to repeat as MAC Champions in the 2024 Preseason Coaches Poll.
UT ended last season ranked No. 7 in the Midwest Region, No. 17 in the Mid-Major rankings, and No. 71 in the ITA national poll. Toledo spent nine consecutive weeks in the national poll, reaching a program-best No. 58 in the country after defeating Florida Gulf Coast, which was ranked No. 70 at the time.
Two-time MAC Player of the Year Cassie Alcala returns for her senior campaign with a career 140-48 combined record, which ranks No. 3 in Toledo's record book. Alcala compiled a 26-6 singles record and an 18-12 doubles (8-0 MAC) record last season. She started last season on a 14-match winning streak and clinched match points for UT against Louisiana Tech, Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois, Ball State, and Buffalo and earned MAC Player of the Week honors twice.
Also returning for the Rockets are three-time All-MAC honoree Sloane Teske (137-68 career), two-time MAC All-Tournament Team honoree Shalini Tallamraju (93-44 career), senior Julia Kuszynski (89-70 career), and sophomore Sanjana Tallamraju (41-21 career).
Teske finished last season with a 24-8 record and was 8-2 against league opponents from the No. 2 court. She currently sits in the No. 2 spot for career singles wins at 77, and No. 5 all-time for overall career wins with 137.Â
A Second-Team All-MAC honoree, Shalini Tallamraju registered the best singles season by a Rocket in a single season, compiling a 29-3 (10-0 MAC) record and ending the season on a career-high 12-match winning streak from the No. 3 court.
Sanjana Tallamraju and Kuszynski paired up as the No. 2 doubles team last season, compiled a team-best 12-4 record, and ended the season on a five-match winning streak. Tallamraju went 16-6 (8-2 MAC) in singles play last spring, mostly from the No. 5 court, and claimed the only individual victory against Purdue. Kuszynski went 12-9 in dual competition and clinched match point for UT against FGCU, Miami, and Bowling Green.
"These seniors have worked incredibly hard to put this program in such a strong position heading into our 2024 season," Mauntler said. "They have learned a lot of hard lessons along the way, but I've always been so proud of the way they used the lessons. They bounce back like no other squad I've ever had. They share this common competitiveness which drives practice every single day."
Mauntler added freshmen Gaby Rondon and Jone Ibanez, along with junior transfer Audrey Moutama to the roster this season, and is impressed on how they have already impacted the program during the team's fall competition.
"Our newcomers have fit right into our culture and have learned about the expectations of what it means to be on this team. They are improving at a rapid rate, and they will impact both the singles and doubles lineup this year. We are excited to get started this weekend."
Fall Season Recap
Toledo had an eventful fall season, compiling a 65-42 record over four tournaments. Alcala and Rondon were recognized at the BGSU Dynamic Duos for their undefeated singles and doubles records. Alcala reached the Round of 32 at the ITA Midwest Regionals, and broke the Toledo program record for career singles wins at 82.
About Dayton
Dayton opened the spring last weekend with a 4-3 defeat to Bowling Green and a 7-0 loss at Miami. The Rockets played the Flyers this fall at the Rocket Indoor Invitational (Oct. 27-28). Toledo has swept Dayton in its last three matches, the last being on March 20, 2011, at home.
About Xavier
Xavier is the three-time defending Big East Champions, compiling a 14-8 record in 2022-23 with an undefeated 3-0 league record. The Musketeers made their fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament and fell to Ohio State (4-0) in the first round. Xavier's roster features 2023 Big East Player of the Year Imani Graham, and 2023 Big East Freshman of the Year Abby Nugent. Xavier is 1-1 entering this weekend following a sweep of Northern Kentucky and a shutout by Purdue. Toledo lost its last battle with Xavier, a 4-3 defeat on March 14, 2015 at home.
Toledo vs. Dayton
Miamisburg, Ohio | South Regency Tennis Center
Friday, Jan. 26 | 1:00 p.m.
Toledo vs. Xavier
Cincinnati, Ohio | Eastern Hills Indoor Tennis Center
Saturday, Jan. 27 | 4:30 p.m.
Live Video
What's Next
Toledo will visit Cleveland State on Friday, Feb. 2 before hosting UIC in the first home match of the season on Sunday, Feb. 4 at Twos Athletic Club.
Follow the Rockets
Be sure to follow the Rockets' women's tennis team on social media:
- X (formerly Twitter): @ToledoWTennis
- Instagram & Threads: toledowtennis
- Facebook: Toledo Women's Tennis
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Players Mentioned
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