Hatters Host NJIT, Upstate on Senior Weekend

When Stetson plays its final home matches this weekend at Mandy Stoll Tennis Center, the Hatters will say goodbye to a trio of seniors. The Hatters host NJIT on Thursday and USC Upstate on Saturday. Both matches begin at 6 p.m.

Isabella Fernandez, Brittany Hill and Maja Salibasic will be honored prior to Saturday's match. Fernandez and Hill have been a part of the Stetson program since 2014, while Salibasic joined them after transferring from Oregon in 2015.

Fernandez, a co-captain, has battled nagging injuries this season but has managed to appear in seven total singles matches and seven doubles contests. Overall, Fernandez is a combined 5-9 between doubles and singles. For her career show owns 29 singles victories and 30 doubles wins. She was a first-team All-ASUN selection as a sophomore and an All-Freshman team pick in 2014.

"Isabella has been great for us in a leadership role. She's been a little limited on the court this year because of injuries, so her role is different," Stetson head coach Travis Sandlant said. "She always does what I ask her to do."

Hill is one of the most respected players on the team. While she hasn't always gotten the playing time throughout her career that others players have, Hill is considered by Sandlant and her teammates to be a major factor for the Hatters.

"Brittany means a lot to our program," Sandlant said. "Even though she's not a leader on the court, she's a leader in every other aspect of our program. She's a leader in the weight room, at practice, in meetings and on road trips. There are plenty of benefits for a team to have someone like Brittany as a part of the team."

Salibasic transferred to Stetson prior to her sophomore season. A mainstay in the lineup since her arrival, Salibasic has won a total of 33 matches between singles and doubles play. A fierce competitor, Salibasic has served as a team co-captain this season along with Fernandez. She was an ASUN All-Academic pick last year.

"Maja is one of those girls that you know will give 100 percent," Sandlant said. "She's hungry to win and compete and that's pretty valuable. She has thrived with the responsibility of being a captain this year."

One senior who won't be available for senior day ceremonies is Carolina Meregalli, who graduated in December with a degree in International Business. Meregalli was a two-time ASUN All-Academic selection, and was named second-team all-conference as a sophomore after going 13-4 in singles play during the spring. As a freshman, she earned ASUN All-Freshman honors as she posted a 9-3 record.

"From the short time that I got the privilege to see Carolina compete, I could tell she was a person that has held the team together during her career here at Stetson," Sandlant said. "Carolina was a student athlete who led by example."

--SU--

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Players Mentioned

Isabella Fernandez: 5' 6"; Senior

Brittany Hill: 5' 6"; Senior

Maja Salibasic: 5' 6"; Senior

Players Mentioned

Isabella Fernandez
: 5' 6"; Senior

Brittany Hill
: 5' 6"; Senior

Maja Salibasic
: 5' 6"; Senior

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Hatters Host NJIT, Upstate on Senior Weekend

Players Mentioned

Isabella Fernandez

Brittany Hill

Maja Salibasic

Players Mentioned

Isabella Fernandez

Brittany Hill

Maja Salibasic