TOWSON, Md. – The 45^th season of Towson University women's tennis is set to open Friday afternoon at James Madison, the first of five trips to the state of Virginia this season, including the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) tournament. The Tigers face Liberty on Saturday afternoon.
 
For the first time since entering the CAA 20 years ago, the Towson tennis team is scheduled to play the other eight teams in the conference who compete in the sport. Before last season was cut short due to the global coronavirus pandemic, Towson pitched 7-0 shutouts over Coppin State and Delaware State and had a 4-3 victory over Saint Francis.
 
Jamie Peterson is in his fourth year at the helm of the Towson women's tennis program. After serving as the team's interim head coach in 2016-17, he was officially named the 15^th head coach in team history prior to the 2017-18 season. The Tigers return eight of the nine student-athletes from last season's squad and have added three freshman.
 
"I think it is all about of mindset and being in the right mindset and having an attitude of gratitude that we are here and we are going to have a chance to compete and to make the most of it, but at the same point realize what the situation is," Peterson said. "Things are constantly changing and that we have to be mentally ready for that."
 
Peterson says the key contributors this year will be senior Alexa Martinez, junior Themis Haliou and as well as co-captains Amelia Lawson and Jessica Assenmacher.
 
"The experience that they have had and also the experiences they learned from the team two years ago, with veterans like Lucy Gloninger and Jane Shusterman showing them the way," Peterson added.  "As a freshman, Alexa played on a team with five seniors. What they learned is invaluable in what has been successful and was has not."
 
Another key contributor will be sophomore Sarah Pospischill, who secured a singles win over Maryland as a freshman.
 
"The front end of the lineup is pretty obvious with Themis, Alexa, Amelia and Sarah, but it is very competitive for the last two singles spots," added Peterson.
 
Vying for the final two singles spots are Assenmacher, senior Lauryn Jacobs, sophomore Elessa Jacobs and freshman Lea Kosanovic.
 
Peterson indicated he plans to rotate four doubles teams into the lineup throughout the season.
 
 Eleven of the first 12 matches are on the road, including CAA matches at James Madison (February 12), William & Mary (March 7), Elon (March 12) and College of Charleston (March 14).
 
Ten of the last 12 matches of the season will be at home, including eight straight from April 2-April 16. During that period, Towson will host CAA rivals Drexel (April 2) and UNCW (April 9).
 
After ending the regular season at Delaware on April 17, the Tigers will head to William & Mary for the CAA Women's Tennis Championship (April 22-25).
 
"We are playing a full season and playing all the conference teams for the first time, which is exciting and the way it should be," Peterson said. "What I have tried to do is put the girls into positions where they are going to be comfortable."

Scouting James Madison
James Madison finished 10-4 in 2019-20, including victories over Maryland and Penn State. Five student-athletes on this year's squad were key contributors when the Dukes captured the 2018-19 CAA championship.
 
Scouting Liberty
Liberty, one of the top teams in the region, is undefeated after four matches in 2021, beating Georgia State (6-1), Mercer (6-1) and Longwood (7-0, 7-0). Saturday's match is scheduled to be played in the new Liberty Indoor Tennis Center.