VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State women's tennis program returns to the courts this week as it heads to Carrollton, Ga., for a neutral site matchup with Christian Brothers to open Gulf South Conference play Friday at 3 p.m., and then returns home to host Flagler on Sunday at 2 p.m.
 
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, fans will need to socially distance at home matches this season and face coverings will be required at all times for all guests over the age of two (2).
 
The Blazer women's team dropped a 4-2 decision to No. 15 North Georgia on Feb. 7, in the season-opener.  Despite the loss, the Blazers fought tooth-and-nail with the Nighthawks.  Senior Estee Widdershoven won at No. 1 singles and teamed with freshman Rachelle Starreveld won at No. 1 doubles helping VSU clinch the doubles team point.  Widdershoven earned Gulf South Conference Player of the Week honors for her efforts in the match.
 
VSU is coming off a 4-7 record in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season.  The Blazers were 3-0 in conference play when play was halted in March.  Widdershoven went 5-6 at the top spot in singles and 3-0 in league play, while she was 6-4 at the top spot in doubles with sophomore Eva Rivoal and 3-0 in conference play.  VSU won every doubles match in GSC play last season and was 12-6 in singles in league play.
 
Christian Brothers is 1-0 on the year with a 5-2 victory over Ouachita Baptist on Feb. 13.  The Bucs had their first two matches cancelled against Blue Mountain and Martin Methodist.  OBU won the doubles points, while CBU won five of the six singles matches for the win.  CBU swept the top four singles spots in straight-sets.
 
Returning for the Bucs this season is Laura Brazuelo who went 13-5 in singles last season, while Esther Guemes was 9-8 at the top spot in the lineup.  In doubles, Brazuelo and Gabriela Marin were 5-2 at the No. 2 spot.
 
Flagler is scheduled to face Nebraska-Kearney on Friday, before heading to Valdosta for Sunday's match.  The Saints are preseason No. 10 in the ITA Division II Women's Tennis poll and competed in the ITA Regional in the fall.  There, Eden Schlagenhauf, Alessandra Traub and Anika Nissen all reached the semifinals.  Schlagenhauf lost in the finals in singles.  In doubles, Nissen/Schlagenhauf lost in the finals, while Paloma Martinez and Traub won the consolation finals. 
 
The Saints were 8-4 last season and 1-0 in Peach Belt Conference play before the pandemic halted the season. 
 
Following the matches this week, the Blazers head on the road at Auburn Montgomery on Friday, Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. ET, to close the month of February.