Jan. 24, 2013

Click here to watch a Cadet Spotlight with Larraine Saavedra

ITHACA, N.Y. - After a three-month hiatus between the fall and spring seasons, the Army women's tennis team gets its first action this weekend as the Black Knights take part in the Cornell Winter Invitational, Friday through Sunday at Reis Tennis Center.

Coming off a strong fall season in which it saw several young players gain valuable match experience at the collegiate level, Army will be tested against stiff competition at Cornell this weekend.

"We're excited to get back on the court against players outside of our roster," said reigning Patriot League Coach of the Year Paul Peck. "Our goal this weekend is to get matches in and start to regain our competitive edge. We have a long spring season ahead, so this tournament will serve as a springboard for getting the dual matches underway.

"We'll be trying out some doubles combinations, as well as evaluating where players stand in terms of singles," Peck added.

Army will join several other New York teams heading to Ithaca, N.Y., for the weekend event. Unlike in past seasons, the Black Knights will be the only Patriot League team attending. Cornell's lineup features regionally ranked Christine Ordway (15).

This will mark the Army's final no-team-scoring formatted tournament of the year, as they begin dual-match play next weekend with three home matches.

Army, which was recently predicted to defend its Patriot League title for a ninth consecutive year, welcomes back four all-league players from a year ago. Headlining that group is 2012 Patriot League Player of the Year Jamila Paul. Classmate Margaret Iliev, along with senior co-captain Erin Colton, was also first team All-Patriot League performers a year ago.

Iliev paced the Black Knights with eight doubles victories in the fall, while senior co-captain Larraine Saavedra and freshman Gabriella Spindler both posted 7-3 singles records to lead the team during its non-traditional season.

Results throughout the weekend will be available by logging on to www.goARMYsports.com as they become available. Fans are encouraged to follow @Army_WTennis for the latest women's tennis information.