Season Preview: Women's Tennis

By Joseph Garwood: Assistant Director of Athletic Communications

2/14/2023 11:29:00 AM

The Piedmont women's tennis team is set to begin its 2023 campaign this weekend, as it will travel and take on Johnson & Wales (N.C.) this Saturday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m.

Imani Vincent - 2021 USA South Player of the Year, 2022 All-USA South First Team

THE SCHEDULE

Piedmont’s schedule this year consists of 19 regular season contests, just four of which are slated to be played at the Burgen Tennis Courts on campus
The Lions will play seven Collegiate Conference of the South contests, with three coming at home.
The team is scheduled to open up its home slate against SAA foe Oglethorpe on Friday, March 17 at 3 p.m.
The nonconference schedule is highlighted by a spring break trip to Orlando in which the Lions will play five matches from March 5 - March 9.
The Lady Lions were picked to win the inaugural CCS Championship in the Preseason Coaches Poll.

Women's Tennis 2022-23 Schedule

Abbey Grace Venham - (All-USA South West Division First Team, 2022)

2022 IN REVIEW

It was a historic year for the Piedmont women's tennis program as it reached new heights with a 25-5 overall record and a perfect 7-0 mark in the USA South.
Piedmont's 25 overall victories shattered the previous program record of 19, set in 2019.
The Lady Lions captured their first ever USA South Tournament Championship, defeating Averett in Rome, Georgia to earn the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
At the NCAA Emory Regional, Piedmont outlasted Transylvania to win in its first ever NCAA Tournament match.
Piedmont's 7-0 regular season USA South record marks its fourth consecutive undefeated season in conference and fourth straight USA South West Division Regular Season Championship.
The Lady Lions were dominant on the USA South All-Conference Listing, as eight were selected to the teams.
After the season, sophomore Melissa Gish was named a CoSIDA At-Large Academic All-District Selection.

Women's Tennis 2020-21 Recap

Piedmont University Athletics. (Photo: Mooreshots LLC)

Dakota Wilkes - All-USA South West Division Second Team (2022)

THE ROSTER

The Lions return five of their six main starters from last season's singles lineup
- 2021 USA South Player of the Year Imani Vincent returns for her senior season after enjoying another fantastic campaign as a junior, earning All-USA South First Team honors for the second straight season.
- Abbey Grace Venham is back for her junior season after winning a bunch of big matches as a sophomore on her way to All-USA South First Team honors.
- Dakota Wilkes returns as well to anchor the back of the lineup after a dominant run as a junior.
- After a stellar debut season, Alyssa McSpadden returns for her sophomore campaign ready to take on a bigger role.
- The Lady Lions must replace 2022 USA South Tournament MVP Melissa Gish, who won the clinching match in the USA South Tournament Final and NCAA Tournament First Round for Piedmont.
- Marion Sloyan is back as a dynamic singles specialist who locked down the middle of the lineup, delivering a 13-3 record.
This season, the Lady Lions add five newcomers into the fold for their roster of 17 student athletes.

Marion Sloyan (All-USA South West Division First Team, 2022)

Women's Tennis 2022-23 Roster

Alyssa McSpadden - All-USA South West Division Second Team (2022)

COACHING/SUPPORT STAFF

Head Coach Trey Martin enters his fifth season at the helm of the program and his eighth overall.
- Martin is coming off a historic 2022 season, leading the Lady Lions to a program record 25 wins.
- He also led the Lady Lions to their first ever USA South Tournament Title, first NCAA Tournament Appearance and First NCAA Tournament win.
  - Martin took home USA South Coach of the Year honors in 2021, leading the Lady Lions to their second consecutive undefeated conference season.
  - Martin boasts a 71-19 overall record as head coach and is a perfect 22-0 in conference matches.
Matt Williams will serve as the Assistant Women's Tennis Coach while also leading the men's tennis program in his second season. Williams served as the women's tennis volunteer assistant in 2021.

Trey Martin

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