PORTLAND, Ore.--- All but one of last year’s team members returns for the 2013 women’s tennis season as it begins this weekend with a pair of matches. Reinforced with five newcomers, this year’s team features 12 players to give head coach Susie Campbell-Gross unparalleled depth in her lineup.
 
Portland hosts the Idaho Vandals on Sunday at 10 a.m. after opening the season Saturday against Eastern Washington at 9 a.m. in Eugene, Ore.
 
The Pilots play all their home matches at the Louisiana-Pacific Tennis Center on the University of Portland Campus and fans can watch the team for FREE all season long.  
 
With a program-high 12 players on the roster, this year’s roster gives the team flexibility, a luxury not available to the program in previous injury-riddled years.
 
Valeska Hoath and Sabine Fuchs return for their senior seasons, welcoming Gabrielle Goerence and Emily Mahairas to the ranks of upperclassman. Hoath and Fuchs were the loan upperclassmen last year and combined for a 21-23 singles record as the Pilots’ primary 2-3 spots.
 
The duo found their rhythm midway through the season and will look to sustain that momentum heading into this season.
 
Sophomore Anastasia Polyakova finished 10-10 during singles play in 2012 as a true freshman, displaying flashes of her talent throughout the year. Competing with and beating some of the best No. 1’s in an intimidating conference, Polyakova enters the season poised to improve on a successful freshman campaign.
 
Sophomore Katy Krauel also returns and redshirt-freshman Milagros Cubelli bounces back from an injury that cost her all of the 2012 season.
 
Joining the Pilots this year are Saroop Dhatt, Emily Gould, Maja Mladenovic, Marina Reimers, and Tori Troesch. This year’s talented freshman class is capable of creating headaches for opponents right away, and also gives the team the ability to adjust to each opposing team.