CLEVELAND, Tenn.-Coach Patric Hynes and his Lee women's tennis team have plenty to build on after the (10-6) 2023 season. It was a year in which for the first time the team posted wins over the University of West Florida and Valdosta State University of the powerful Gulf South Conference.
The Lady Flames reached the highest ranking in the program's history (36th) and finished the year ranked No. 41 in NCAA Division II. Ashleigh Simes finished the season ranked 50th nationally in singles. Micaela Maiz and Matina Ujdur were ranked 39th in doubles while Simes was first team All-GSC and Maiz second team.
Five players were named to the GSC Spring Honor Roll (3.0+ GPA), Ujdur, Maiz, Hayden Smith, Mirjana Ragastovac and Simes. Maiz was named to the GSC All-Academic Team. The team was named to the ITA All-Academic Team (team GPA of 3.2+) and four players were listed as ITA Scholar-Athletes (3.5+ GPA).
Coach Hynes will have to replace Ujdur and Maiz who graduated from last year's team, but Simes, Hayden Smith, Elizaveta Gnilozubova, Maria Duarte, and Ragastovac are returning. He has added Maria Penalver Aguilo and Kanna Kobayakawa to his 2024 roster.
The veteran coach says his girls have been really focused this year and he is hoping that will translate into matches (and wins). He adds that University of West Alabama, Auburn University Montgomery, West Florida, Mississippi College are all tough teams, and the GSC is loaded with quality teams.
When asked about individual and team goals, Coach Hynes said, "Everyone has their own individual goals, we just want to bring our best to every practice and match, and fight for each other."
Hynes noted that there are no easy matches. "Every team will be a challenge this year. We are on the road at Carson-Newman University and Young Harris College who are both solid programs and we all know what we face in the GSC," he said in closing his remarks about the promising new year.
The Lady Flames open the season on Sunday, traveling to Bristol, Tenn. to face King University. They will continue the road adventures on Feb. 10 in Jefferson City, Tenn., testing Carson-Newman, before opening the home slate and GSC play on Feb. 17 against Delta State University.
