MALIBU, CALIF. (Sept. 21,2017 )-- FIU senior Andrea Lazaro (Barcelona, Spain), who earned a No. 29 preseason ranking by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), will be the Panthers' lone entrant into this weekend's Oracle ITA Masters, held in Malibu, California, starting Thursday, September 21.
                                                                                        
A Conference USA Player of the Year candidate, Lazaro earned the preseason ranking after an impressive 2016-17, posting a 20-5 singles record, and 14-1 doubles mark. She was selected to play in the NCAA Division I Singles Championships, falling to eventual National Runner-Up and sixth-ranked Brenda Woolcock of Florida, 6-3, 6-2 to end the season.
 
Lazaro, who is seeded ninth at the Masters, is scheduled to face 24th-seeded Lidia Yanes of Austin Peay in their opening-round match at 1 p.m. Eastern Thursday. There will be two rounds played Friday, with semifinals Saturday and the championship match on Sunday.
 
The entire men's and women's fields will team up to play mixed doubles to start the weekend. Lazaro is paired with Old Dominion' Adam Moundir, who has a preseason ranking of 35 on the men's side. That duo is seeded 10th in the mixed doubles bracket, and will play at 11 a.m. Thursday.
 
The best returning players in collegiate tennis make up the field at the Oracle ITA Masters marking the third year of the opening national tournament.
 
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUWTennis) for all the latest FIU women's tennis news. Also, the ITA Oracle Master has an event page for draws, schedule, photo gallery and daily recaps and video highlights.