Wingate, N.C.----Coming off the first NCAA Division II national quarterfinal appearance in the history of Wingate of SAC women's tennis in 2024, the Wingate University Bulldogs open up the 2025 spring season Wednesday afternoon against Lees-McRae at 1 p.m. at Monroe High School.

The Bulldogs went 22-3 overall in 2024, with a 12-0 record in league play to capture the 12th regular season SAC title in the last 13 seasons. The 'Dogs defeated #22 Catawba and #6 Flagler to advance to Florida for nations. Wingate took down #18 Angelo State 4-2 to punch a ticket to the national quarterfinals. The 'Dogs have also won seven SAC Tourney titles in the last 13 years, giving Wingate 19 total league championships since 2011. The Bulldogs are 137-4 in conference play over the last 13 seasons.

"The girls are excited to start the season," head coach Michael Cabana says. "They are ready to compete and build off last year's success. We're going to have some girls get opportunities to get some more playing time than they had last year. They'll have a chance to prove themselves and contribute to the team."

Wingate is once again the preseason SAC favorite, with four players earning preseason all-conference accolades. "The goals continue to be: trust the process, keep working hard, take something from every match, be positive on what we can grow on," Cabana says. "Focus on being prepared for each match, get ready for the indoor nationals opportunity. After that, we come back to start SAC play, so that's a great way to get prepared for conference play."

SINGLES

The Bulldogs are led by first team All-SAC honoree Chloe Kosmrlj, who is the nation's 22nd-ranked singles player. The senior went 21-2 last season, with a perfect 12-0 mark in league play while going 19-2 at two singles and 1-0 at one singles. "Chloe is a fighter and a competitor," Cabana says. "She is always ready to compete and fight. She is by far our leader on the court during matches. She's loud, intense and driven."

Suzuka Sambyakugari is another preseason first team All-SAC honoree. The senior went 14-7 last season, with a 9-3 mark in league play, playing 20 of her 21 matches at three singles. She enters the spring as the region's 15th-ranked singles player. "Suzuka is quiet, composed and just finds ways to win," Cabana says. "She puts her head down and goes to work."

Fernanda Castillo is also a preseason first team All-SAC selection. The junior was 18-7 last year, going 10-2 in league play while playing 23 of her matches at four singles. She is the 20th-ranked player in the region. "Fernanda has a powerful game," Cabana says. "She has to continue to grow her confidence and understand she is a talented player. She'll have that opportunity to grow and take steps forward this year."

Claudia Vallejos picked up 17 wins during her freshman season, going 17-7 overall with a 9-3 record in SAC play. She played 22 of her 24 matches at five singles last year. "Claudia is always going to compete," Cabana says. "She is reliable and never gets too high or too low. She just competes, she can get the job done. I never have to worry too much about her effort."

Newcomer Sophie Quagraine will look to crack the starting lineup this spring. "Sophie has a powerful game," Cabana says. "She is strong and can help us in singles and doubles. We're just going to have to get her used to the college environment and college game. She can help solidify the middle to bottom of the lineup."

The Bulldogs have several other players that will see singles action this season, including junior Gigi Hinson along with sophomore Mariia Bobrovska and Daniela Kotara. "Mariia, Daniela and Gigi will all have a chance to contribute in singles. These three will be fighting for that five-six-seven spot all year. All three will have a chance to play, whoever takes advantage of their opportunities will be who we rely on."

DOUBLES

Sambyakugari and Castillo will look to play one singles to start the spring, earning preseason second team All-SAC accolades. The duo is the fourth-ranked doubles team in the region, tops among all other duos in the SAC. "Suzuka and Fernanda they will look to build off their fall together," Cabana says. "They advanced to ITA semifinals. With them, it's about coming fired up to every single match, bringing that energy that the team will need."

Kosmrlj and Kotara earned preseason first team All-SAC accolades this year. They check in at number nine in the ITA Southeast Region doubles rankings after going 17-4 last season, with an 11-1 record in league play. "Chloe and Daniela are a good doubles squad," Cabana says. "They were solid together last year and played tough at Charlotte in our exhibition last weekend. We look for them to build off last year's success. They have played well so far this spring, they have a good connection from last year, you can see that it still exists on the practice court."

The number three doubles team going into the season looks to be Hinson and Quagraine. "Sophie and Gigi complement each other well," Cabana says. "They'll get a chance to play together for the first time in a match tomorrow, so we'll see how they handle that."