Bethlehem, Pa.---A heartbreaking loss in the Landmark Conference semi-finals last season finds the Moravian College women's tennis team eager to work its way back into the championship match this year. With only two returners, the women's team is full of fresh faces looking to prove themselves.

The 2014 season has Head Coach Art Smith becoming the Director of Tennis, which will give him the reins of the women's team as well as the men's. "This is going to a transition for the team just as much as it is for me as I take on this new role. It's a lot more players to keep track of and scheduling has proved interesting but we have been making it work," stated Smith. 

Junior captain Courtnie Lambert has been helping with that transition and the women's team has been taking everything in stride quite well. "I named Courtnie captain over the summer. She is responsible and has a great attitude about her and the girls are really responding well to her," commented Smith. Lambert went 12-5 in singles and 1-0 in doubles for the Hounds.

The Blue and Grey return Brittney Eady, she went 16-4 overall in singles and 17-3 overall in doubles. Eady earned Landmark Conference honors of Rookie of the Year, First Team All-Conference in singles, Second Team All-Conference in doubles and Player of the Week for October 7th. 

"We are lucky to have Brittney back, and that we have some experience of a transfer student and a player who took time off rejoining the team. The girls are good though, they have bought into the program and are working hard,"

"I'm not sure what to expect from the women's team just yet. I'm pleased with the play so far and expect our freshman to fit in nicely. I think it will depend on what other teams have offer and how much we improve," said Smith about how the women's team will fair in his season premiere as Head Coach.

The Moravian College women's tennis team opens the season on Saturday, September 6 at 1:00 p.m. against Gwynedd Mercy University.