West Windsor, N.J. -- While Head Coach Marc Vecchiolla is always excited as he heads into a new season, he is especially psyched as he prepares the women's tennis team for its first match, to take place Sept. 10 against Hagerstown CC (MD) at the Mercer County Tennis Center.

According to Vecchiolla, he has a deep roster this year that should take the Vikings far. No. 1 singles player Alison Noll, who won the NJCAA national title in May, and no. 2 Kati Courtney are experienced sophomores ready to take on all comers, while sophomores Melanie Hunter and Terrelle Womble have also spent long hours on the court practicing for high level competition. New players expected to contribute include Kelly Tanzone, who played no. 1 singles at Steinert High School, Kristen Finn, who played no. 3 singles at Steinert, and Alina Vitikhnovskaya and Ewa Szyszko, who were no. 1 doubles partners at Lawrence.

Vecchiolla notes that the team's biggest challenges are likely to come from within Mercer's own Region 19. Gloucester CC finished second in the country last year and Brookdale finished third. With the solid makeup of his squad, Vecchiolla has high hopes that Mercer will earn its first Region 19 Championship since 2005.

Vecchiolla will be assisted this season by Ralph Bencivengo and Barb Pleva.

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