CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte women's tennis team is set to begin their inaugural Division 1 season on Saturday as the Royals host Appalachian State University at the Howard Levine Tennis Center. The match will begin at 2:00 p.m. and admission is free.
"We have a bit of a chip on our shoulder as we start this season, and that's how we're practicing," said Head Coach
Alex Leatu. "Hard, intense, and focused, but have a great time while we do it. This group is ready to prove themselves."
The Royals are coming off their final season in Division 2 which included a 16-2 overall record and an 11-1 mark in league play. The 16 victories tied for the second most in program history as they rattled off 11 straight wins marking a program record. The Royals won their third conference tournament title and made their sixth NCAA Tournament appearance last season.
Queens returns three All-Conference standouts from a season ago, including
Jill Morse who gathered First Team Singles and Doubles honors. Morse put together a 12-1 season from the No. 2 court and held an 11-2 record from the top doubles court with All-Conference teammate Marie Bertran de Balanda. The duo went 9-1 in league play and took down a nationally ranked-opponent.
Hanna Axelsson also returns for the Royals after a stellar freshman campaign which landed her Third Team Singles honors. The Lund, Sweden native posted a 9-5 overall record, including an 8-4 mark from the No. 3 court.
The Royals showcase a young, but experienced roster with seven underclassmen and six returners.
The inaugural Division 1 season will be the first for head coach
Alex Leatu as she joined the program in the summer of 2022. Leatu spent last season building a brand-new women's tennis program at Weatherford College which achieved a national ranking of No. 7 in their first season. The Baylor graduate spent three seasons at the helm of Georgia State where the Panthers made a Sun Belt Tournament appearance in 2019.
Be sure to follow the Royals Women's Tennis Team on Instagram at queenswten as well as on Twitter at queenswten for updates and news throughout the entire season.
