LOGAN, Utah – Utah State women's tennis (0-0) is set to open its 2021 campaign with a pair of home matches this weekend. The Aggies will host Dixie State (0-2) on Friday, Jan. 29, at 11 a.m., followed by a contest against Idaho State (0-0) on Sunday, Jan. 31, at 1 p.m.
All of Utah State's home matches will be played at the Sports Academy and Racquet Club this season. Under COVID-19 protocol, USU will be limiting attendance at home contests to family members of student-athletes only. Live score updates and a live video stream will be available for all home matches. Links to both are posted on the Utah State Athletics website and will be sent out on the team social media pages on match day.
Utah State returns to the court after the 2020 season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the Aggies posted a 4-3 record, ending the year before Mountain West competition could begin. Among returning players, sophomore Zara Ryan and junior Annaliese County led last year's team with four singles win apiece. Sophomores Renata Lombera and Carolina Millan had a team-best three doubles wins last season. Utah State returns all but two players from last year's roster this season.
The Aggies welcome back six letterwinners, along with one redshirt player. Utah State added two players to the roster this offseason. Lisa Küng is a freshman from Stein am Rhein, Switzerland. A local player, Naya Tillitt joins the Aggies from Nibley, Utah, and Ridgeline High School.
Dixie State opened its season with a pair of 7-0 losses. The Trailblazers, in their first year of transition to Division I, return six players from a year ago. Head coach Eric Pelton has guided the Dixie State tennis program since its creation, entering his 16th season. Utah State is 2-0 all-time against Dixie State, with Friday marking the first meeting between the teams since 2008.
Idaho State will open its season at Utah on Saturday before making the trip to Logan. The Bengals return four players from last year's team that went 4-7 in the abbreviated season. Gretchen Maloney is in her seventh season as the head coach of the ISU women's tennis program. All-time, Utah State is 33-29 against Idaho State, including a 6-1 victory in Logan last season. The teams will also play in Pocatello later this season.
Fans can follow USU's women's tennis team on Twitter @USUWomensTennis, on Facebook at /UtahStateWomensTennis or on Instagram at USUWomensTennis. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter, @USUAthletics, Facebook at /USUAthletics and on Instagram, @USUAthletics.
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