The start of the Stetson University women's tennis season is still two months away, but the Hatters put in an abundance of work this fall in preparation for their highly anticipated spring season as roster members successfully worked on their tennis games competing in various tournaments this fall in preparation for the upcoming season.
 
Members of the Stetson women's tennis team competed at the Bedford Cup in Tampa (9/30 – 10/1), the ITA Regionals at the University of Georgia (10/19 – 23), the Warner Invitational in Auburndale (10/27 – 29) and the Juan Varon Invitational in Daytona Beach (10/27 – 29). The Hatters came out in good order ending with a great deal of success with several impressive wins and championships.
 
At the Juan Varon Invitational, sophomore Lucie Renault captured the C Flight singles championship, when she downed her opponent 7-6, 6-2 in the championship match. She won two matches prior at the invitational before capturing the championship. That same weekend, sophomore Alexe Viaud won the consolation championship of the Warner Invitational. After losing her first match, she ran the gauntlet on the back draw to win the top consolation prize.
 
"It was a very positive semester for us. I think we vastly improved from where we were last year at this time," head coach Travis Sandlot said. "We got some big wins from individual players, and overall I was very pleased with how well we played."
 
In all, the Hatters had several wins at singles and doubles throughout the fall.
 
At the Bedford Cup, in singles play, Renault earned a win over a former No. 22 ranked junior French Open quarterfinalist, while freshman Vicky Geurinckx earned a win over her opponent. Viaud also earned a win, so to did freshman Danielle Peele. In doubles play, Megan Horwitz and Megan Harrison earned a win, while Geurinckx and Arijana Korac teamed up for a win.
 
At the ITA Southeast Regionals, freshman Brooke Milner advanced the furthest, by earning two wins, while Korac and Renault also won a match each.
 
At the Juan Varon Invitational, not only did Renault win her flight championship, but team members Horowitz and Milner earned wins.
 
The 2018 Stetson women's tennis schedule begins on Tue. Jan. 23 against Bethune-Cookman at 1 p.m. at the Mandy Stoll Tennis Center. The Hatters are coming off a 7-14 overall record last season, including a 3-3 showing in the ASUN Conference. The Hatters qualified for the ASUN postseason championship and defeated Lipscomb in the opening round before losing in the semifinals to Florida Gulf Coast.