Tennis Ranked No. 5 Nationally in ITA Preseason Poll

TEMPE, Ariz. – After an outstanding 2019 season and a subsequent head-turning Fall to start the school year, the Nova Southeastern tennis team has gained further national attention. The Sharks received a fifth-place preseason ranking from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), organization officials announced this week. In addition to the team ranking, the doubles pair of Sarah Wardenbug and Natalie Espinal were previously announced as the nation’s No. 1 pair, while Espinal is fourth in singles.

Now in the fourth spring under Doug Neagle, the Sharks are coming off their best season in 12 years, and are reaping the rewards in national acclaim. The program on the rise under Neagle, the Sharks were ranked ninth in last years’ poll, 15th the prior year. Marking the best season since 2007, the 2019 Sharks went 22-5 and Neagle was the Sunshine State Conference Coach of the Year. NSU also finished as SSC Championships runner-up and hosted an NCAA South Region tournament site.
 
The premier tennis conference in NCAA Division II, three-time defending National Champion Barry heads four Sunshine State Conference teams in the top 6 – NSU included.

Last season, the Sharks ranked as high as third in the nation and ended the year at No. 6.
 
This year’s NSU squad loses only Ana Navas to graduation and retains the services of Espinal and Wardenburg, who went 19-4 together in doubles and respectively were 20-5 and 17-6 in singles play. Only a sophomore, who spent most of her rookie season under age 18, Espinal was the SSC and South Region ITA Rookie of the Year. In addition, Navas’ doubles partner Daniela Obando is back for her senior season after earning All-SSC nods and a 13-2 singles record to go with her 13-4 doubles record. Sophomore Diane Follin-Arbelet returns from a 19-6 singles record. Meanwhile, the Sharks gain a boost from three Division I transfers, all from the Sun Belt Conference. Making their NSU spring debuts next month are Celia Montero Estevan (Troy), TingTing Pei (Troy) and Karolina Snita (Louisiana Monroe).

“It’s nice to be recognized by the ITA in the top 5 for the preseason rankings,” Neagle said. “Our main concern is only our next opponent though. We have a challenging schedule and will be tested right away against a tough Flagler College team in our first match, February 1st. Our team is working hard and I know they are hungry this season. We feel like we have some unfinished business from last year.”
 
One more junior college scrimmage tune-up is on the schedule before the Sharks host the FC Saints on Feb. 1 at the NSU Tennis Complex. Flagler opens the season ranked No. 13. NSU will follow with a trip to Valdosta, Ga. to meet Georgia College and Valdosta State on Feb. 8-9, before opening SSC play against Tampa at home on Feb. 15.
 

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