SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The USC Upstate women's tennis team will kick-off the 2020 spring season with a pair of road matches against Wofford and Furman on Sunday and Monday afternoon.
 
The Spartans are looking to build off a first round Big South Tournament victory from a season ago. USC Upstate is returning a trio of players from last season's team including nine game winner Elin Hellberg (Malmo, Sweden).  Hellberg went 12-6 on the doubles court last season playing primarily on the Spartans No. 2 team. Maria Jardim (Goiania, Brazil) returns as one of the Spartans top options having played five matches at the No. 2 singles position. Jardim won seven matches on doubles court as a member of the Spartans No. 1 doubles team. Gabriela Cevallos (Quito, Ecuador) went 2-3 in limited singles action a season ago, Cevallos played primarily in doubles matches and picked up six wins as a member of the No. 3 doubles team.
 
Newcomers this season include freshman Roberta Armani, Laura Illanes, sophomore Morgan Valentine and junior Taylor Morneault.
 
On Sunday afternoon the Spartans will travel down the road to take on inner-city rival Wofford at 1 p.m. at the tennis courts on Wofford's campus. Last season the Spartans fell 5-2 to the Terriers and they will be looking for their first win in the series since the 2012-2013 season.
 
On Monday afternoon USC Upstate will make the short trip over to Greenville, S.C. to play Furman University. Last season the Spartans were swept at home by the Paladins and they will be looking to snap a five-match losing streak to the Paladins.
 
For more information on the USC Upstate men's and women's tennis programs log onto upstatespartans.com today.  

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