VIDEO | Michael Cabana Interview
VIDEO | Elena Gunfaus Interview

Wingate, N.C.----Winners of nine of the last 10 regular season SAC titles and six of the last 10 SAC Tournament championships, the Wingate University women's tennis season gets underway this weekend, with the Bulldogs hosting Lees-McRae Saturday. The Bulldogs are ranked 12th in the ITA preseason top 25.

Wingate went 16-2 in the 2021 season, with an 11-0 mark in league play to capture the title. The Bulldogs went on to win their second straight SAC Tournament championship. Wingate earned its third consecutive NCAA Tournament bid and eighth of the last 10 seasons. The Bulldogs are 103-2 in league play since the start of the 2011 season.

The Bulldogs have a solid mixture of veteran leadership with young talent mixed in. The preseason SAC favorites have three preseason all-conference selections in senior Camilla Ciaccia and juniors Elena Gunfaus and Flaminia Guidantoni. "We have some solid returning leadership," Cabana says. "We've got some older girls with a lot of experience. They've been a part of a lot of tough matches, which has helped this group develop. It's a good group of girls, they work hard and they support each other. That comes from some of the upperclassmen setting a good example."

"Camilla and Elena have stepped into that leadership role," Cabana says. "They have two different styles of leadership and the team respects both of them. It's kept the team together and focused through the preseason. They understand who they can talk to in certain situations."

SINGLES

Ciaccia and Gunfaus will be the top two singles players this season. Gunfaus was a first team All-SAC selection last year, going 15-0 in singles play with a 10-0 mark against league opponents. All 15 matches came at #3 singles. Ciaccia earned second team All-SAC accolades last season, going 11-4 overall and 8-2 in conference play. She was 9-1 at #2 singles, adding a pair of victories at #1 singles. Gunfaus opens the season as the third-ranked player in the region and 20th-ranked player in the nation. Ciaccia checks in at #11 in the region.

"Camilla and Elena are going to be at one and two singles this season," Cabana says. "Both have a very good game and should be our top two players all season. Both will have chances to play at number one for us."

The junior Guidantoni earned second team preseason All-SAC selections after going 13-1 last season, with an 8-1 mark in conference play. She was 11-0 at five singles, adding a victory at four singles. Flaminia has been solid for us," Cabana says. "She had a lot of success playing at five singles last year.

Newcomers Chloe Kosmrlj and Alex Lopez will step in and make an immediate contribution to singles play. "Flaminia, Chloe and Alex are all going to be important for us in the three to five singles range," Cabana says. "Chloe has a strong game, with a big serve and big forehand. We're just working on getting her to make some better decisions and have a better shot selection. The more matches she plays, the more comfortable she'll get. Alex is a transfer from Cameron University. She hits a big ball. She's got some good collegiate experience. She's good at moving her opponent around the court."

The Bulldogs have more newcomers expected to make an impact in singles play this season in Saga Berggren and Suzuka Sambyakugari, with sophomore Jadyn Kadyk also seeing action. "Saga, Suzuka and Jadyn are all looking to contribute in singles," Cabana says. "Suzuka is a lefty that can really slide the serve off the court, has a solid back hand and has really good hands at the net. Saga hits a heavy ball with a lot of forehand spin. She can push people back in the court, she's comfortable moving forward and finishing points at the net. Jadyn is tall, has a good serve, can win points on the forehand side and is not afraid to come forward."

DOUBLES

With the mixture of youth and experience, the Bulldogs are working to figure out the doubles teams for the season.

"Elena and Suzuka make for a solid doubles mix," Cabana says. "Suzuka's volley is very solid, along with that effective lefty serve. Elena is a big presence at the net, with an opportunity to win a lot of easy points."

Several Bulldogs will play a big role in doubles play. "Camilla will be a factor in doubles," Cabana says. "Saga's ability to move forward will make her a consistent part of our doubles lineup. Chloe, Jadyn, Flaminia and Alex will be factors as well. We're just trying to figure out which pairs match the best, who complements each other the best. Like most years, the doubles lineups that go out on day one probably won't be the doubles teams at the end of the year."

After opening the season against Lees-McRae, the 'Dogs welcome Mount Olive to town before taking on #18 North Georgia. Wingate opens league play against Tusculum at home March 5. The 'Dogs take on #10 Lynn and #6 Flagler on back-to-back days in March. Wingate hosts #7 Columbus State in March as well.