Women of Troy Kick Off The 2017-18 Season

LOS ANGELES--The USC women's tennis team is ready to begin its 2017-18 campaign. The Women of Troy have one team member ranked nationally in singles and two pairs ranked in doubles.

Senior captain Gabby Smith enters the fall preseason ranked No. 14 in the country. Smith, the All-Pac-12 first teamer, finished the 2017 season ranked No. 29 nationally after reaching the second round of the NCAA singles draw. She went 24-10 in singles play in 2017, and earned Pac-12 All-Academic second team for the second-straight year.

Smith also makes an appearance in the national doubles rankings with partner, junior Rianna Valdes at the No. 23 slot. In addition, sophomore Angela Kulikov and senior captain Madison Westby lock in the No. 46 doubles rank.

Under the tutelage of new head coach Alison Swain, who brings her championship mindset to Troy after winning eight Division III national championships at Williams College, the Trojans are ready to reach for new heights this season.

The weekend brings USC's first official action of the fall. Constance Branstine, Gabby Smith and Sydney Van Alphen will hit the road and travel to Lubbock, Texas where they will compete in the USTA Pro Circuit at the Texas Tech McLeod Tennis Center. Qualifying rounds begin on Saturday (Sept. 16) and the main draw will begin on Monday (Sept. 18).

Players Mentioned

Constance Branstine

Angela Kulikov

Gabby Smith

Rianna Valdes

Sydney Van Alphen

Madison Westby