Teams: UC Davis at Portland State; Portland
Records: Aggies, 0-0; Vikings, 0-0; Pilots, 0-1
Where: Portland Athletic Club – Portland; St. John’s Racket Center – Portland
When: Saturday at 4 p.m.; Sunday at 10 a.m.
Who to watch: Randi Schuler is poised for a great senior campaign after starting all of last season as the No. 1 singles player for the Aggies and going 10-10 overall.
“Our 1 is very tough,“ said head coach Bill Maze. “She had a good year last year, and I’m looking at her to be very strong for us this year.“
Schuler is a transfer from Purdue where the Cincinnati, Ohio native posted an impressive 42-19 overall record in singles play and a 23-11 mark in doubles.
Did you know? Last year, the Aggies finished just one match under .500 with their 11-12 overall record (3-5 in conference). UC Davis graduated three seniors last season that combined for 41 wins overall.
Preview: The road opener this weekend couldn’t have come sooner for the Aggies, who are ready to begin their 2009 season.
“Our team is just really eager to get going,” Maze said. “We have a good chance to win both matches this weekend. Playing these teams this early, it’s a great way to start off the season.“
Maze should be confident after last year. The Aggies beat both Portland State and Portland at home, 6-1 and 7-0, respectively.
“We should be as strong, if not stronger, than we were last year,” Maze said. “And unless they brought in some new talent, we should beat them both rather handedly.“
The Aggies will come out with a probable singles lineup that features Schuler at the one, Desiree Stone at the two, Herzyl Legaspi playing as the three, the freshman Dahra Zamudio in the fourth slot and rounded out with Jenna Kappel and Jessica Harris.
The doubles will start with Schuler and Stone as the first team, Legaspi and Zamudio playing second, and Kappel and Harris to play third.
Maze said his lineup features “a lot of experience” with three seniors, two juniors and the freshman Zamudio from Villa Park High in Orange, Calif.
MATT MILLER can be reached at sports@theaggie.org.
