Women’s Tennis Looking Forward to Fall Competition

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas women’s tennis team has made sure to stay focused during this off-season and now sets its sights on its fall competition. The Razorbacks begin fall play this weekend in Fort Worth, Texas.

“This weekend’s competition is more than exciting for us,” said women’s tennis head coach Courtney Steinbock. “We’ve waited a long time to compete after having our season cut short back in March.”

The Hogs had hardly gotten their toes dipped into conference play in the spring when COVID-19 struck, and the season came to a halt. In their shortened spring, Arkansas was 7-4 overall and 2-1 against SEC programs.

“It truly has been a team effort on all fronts to make this happen and I know I speak for our girls by saying we couldn’t be more thankful, appreciative and happier than we are right now to go out there and do what we love to do against some of the best competition in the country.”

In addition to this weekend’s invitational hosted by TCU, the Razorbacks will travel to Norman, Okla. for a tournament hosted by the Sooners and play host themselves for the ITA Central Regional Championship, all in the month of October.

Arkansas returns nearly its entire roster while bringing in three freshmen to join the squad. Graduate Hog and Arkansas native, Jackie Carr is back for another season in the cardinal and white after a successful shortened senior campaign in the spring.

Carr and her primary doubles partner Martina Zerulo highlighted their doubles record with a 6-3 win over Iamachkine and Olsen from the No.6 nationally ranked Pepperdine at the ITA National Indoor Kick off Weekend in Malibu, CA in late January.

Also returning to the court for Arkansas is doubles duo Lauren Alter and Tatum Rice. The pair is looking to repeat the success they had last fall at the prestigious ITA All-American National championships in Tulsa, OK. The duo also qualified for a berth at the ITA National Fall championships in Newport Beach, CA in which they dominated through to the Elite 8.

Fans should keep their eyes on all three newcomers this fall, all of which bring a wealth of elite experience and energy to the team. Morgan Cross comes to Arkansas from the U.K. as one of the top 15 players in the nation. Cross has represented Wales and Great Britain since the age of 11, winning multiple championships and medals.

Steinbock continues to bring in talent from our very own backyard, with the addition of Presley Southerland. The Little Rock native was ranked as high at 125th in the nation for her class. She was awarded the All-Arkansas Prep tennis award and won the State Singles Championship as well as the All-Conference Tennis Championship.

Rounding out Arkansas’ newcomers is Indianna Spink. Steinbock says Spink will be one to watch this fall. Spink has had a successful junior tennis career both nationally and internationally. Spink has won multiple national championships throughout her junior years and also represented England at the youth Commonwealth Games, winning a Bronze medal in the singles draw.

Fans are encouraged to visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com for the latest information on all things Arkansas Women’s Tennis. You can also find the Hogs on social media by liking us on Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Women’s Tennis) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@RazorbackWTEN).