TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa tennis team is set to open its 2018 season as the host of the UT Invitational. The event will take place at the Naimoli & Young Family Tennis Complex on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The tournament will feature a total of four teams. Joining UT will be fellow Sunshine State Conference opponents Florida Southern and Florida Tech. The fourth team is St. Petersburg College. The Moccasins enter the season ranked No. 17 in the preseason ITA national rankings, while SPC is listed at No. 4 in the NJCAA rankings.

The Spartans are coming off an 8-8 record in 2017. Head coach Al DuFaux returns six letterwinners from last season, including his first four singles players and five of six doubles performers. Caroline Lozo returns after playing number one as a sophomore last year, while senior Emily Hewland held down the number two singles spot while teaming with Lozo at number one doubles. Lilley Nice and Maddie Stephens also return from spots in the middle of the lineup as Danielle Beyes and Gianna Pinasco each competed last year.

UT added three players to its roster, led by transfer Vanina Iordanova, a sophomore transfer from Xavier University. She won 15 singles matches as a freshman for the Musketeers and figures to compete near the top of the Spartan lineup. A pair of freshmen, Amanda Baxter and Corbin Dorsey, also appear primed to compete for lineup spots in their first collegiate season.

Following is a complete three-day schedule for the UT Invitational. Admission to the event is free. Parking is located in the garage located next to the tennis courts on North Blvd.

Friday, February 3 • Doubles

Saturday, February 4 • Singles

Sunday, February 5 • Singles