MIAMI (Jan. 10, 2019) – The FIU women's tennis team welcomes Wisconsin and Iowa State on Friday Jan. 10 – Jan.11, for the pre-season FIU Invitational. 
 
The two-day event will take place at the FIU Tennis Complex and will ring in the 2019 competition season for the defending Conference USA champions. 
 
"This is one of our first matches and we have to get used to tournaments and competing again," senior Maryna Veksler said. "I think it's a good thing that it is not a season match yet, but an invitational. It gives us some time to get ready for the real season." 
 
FIU is led by the Ukraine native, who posted a 16-6 mark in singles play last season and remained undefeated against C-USA opponents. From the number three spot Veksler recorded a 5-0 mark on the season and from the number two spot, a 2-0 mark. In doubles play, with partner Ulyana Grib, the duo recorded a 18-5 record overall, defeated all C-USA opponents and earned a bid to compete in the NCAA doubles tournament. At the Bedford Cup  on Oct. 14, Veksler and freshman partner Kamila Umarova, took home the for the No.1 doubles flight main draw title. 
 
The Panthers are comprised of 5 freshman. Though young, they are hopeful. 
 
"Our first goal is to win the conference again," freshman Basak Akbas said, "We also want to improve our team ranking and represent FIU in the best way possible." 
 
The rookie, who has competed in blue and gold a total of three times has already flaunted her talents. At the Bedford Cup (Oct.14), Akbas took home the trophy for the No.2 singles flight main draw. Against George Washington on Nov.10, Akbas defeated colonials' Melis Bayraktaroglu. The match that took two hours, ended in a three-set triumph for the freshman talent (4-6, 7-5, 6-2). 
 
The Panthers last saw the court on Nov. 10, when they wrapped up their fall schedule against George Washington. FIU defeated George Washington 7-1 overall, including a 2-0 sweep in doubles play. 
 
"I am most excited to see the team compete," said head coach Katarina Petrovic, "We are still in the process of figuring out doubles and partnering up new teams." 
 
The spring invitational is set to begin at 9 a.m. with FIU facing Iowa State in singles play. The full weekend schedule is as follows: 
 
Schedule:
Friday January 11th Start 9 am:

DOUBLES: FIU VS ISU
DOUBLES: WISCONSIN VS ISU 9.30 am
SINGLES: FIU VS WISCONSIN 10.30 am

Saturday January 12th, Start 9am

SINGLES: FIU VS ISU
DOUBLES: FIU VS WISCONSIN 10.30 am
SINGLES: ISU VS WISCONSIN 11.30 am

Click here to preview the season. 

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