SAINT AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern women's tennis team kicks off its spring season on Sunday under the guidance of third-year head coach Doug Neagle. The No. 8 Sharks travel to meet No. 25 Flagler at the Flagler Tennis Center in the heart of Saint Augustine.
 
"We are excited to kick off our season against a tough Flagler team," Neagle said. "They are much improved from last year and this will be a tough match right out of the gates. We just need to trust our training and believe we are ready. All I ask for is their best effort."
 
When these teams met last season, the Sharks came away with a 6-3 win in the confines of the NSU Tennis Complex. NSU has come away with the win in three of the last four meetings against the Saints.
 
The Sharks head north with a high team ranking and two individually-ranked player, namely senior Ana Navas at No. 9 and freshman Natalie Espinal at No. 13. Teamed with junior Daniela Obando, Navas also is one half of the nation's 12th-ranked doubles duo.
 
The Saints finished last year ranked fifth in the Peach Belt Standings with a 10-11 overall record. The Sharks went 9-15 and 5-5 in Sunshine State Conference play – taking on arguably the nation's toughest conference lineup. Flagler opened its season on Saturday with a 6-1 win over Arkansas Fort Smith at home.
 
Play at the Flagler Tennis Center opens up at 10:00 a.m. The match will have no live coverage. Check back on NSUSharks.com in the early evening for the recap from the opener. Check in on Twitter at @NSU_WTennis for team updates from the match site.