LANDMARK WOMEN'S TENNIS 2024-25 SEASON PREVIEW

2023-24 RECAP

Drew University enters the 2024-25 season as the three-time reigning Landmark Conference champion after securing its third straight title with a 5-1 victory over Moravian last season. The championship matchup marked the third consecutive meeting between the two programs in the conference final. The Rangers captured their fourth Landmark title in program history and fifth conference championship overall by winning two of three doubles matches before clinching the victory with singles wins at the No. 1, No. 2, and No. 5 spots.

Courtney Bresler earned tournament MVP honors after playing a key role in doubles, including a comeback win at No. 3 alongside Natalia Zamora. The duo rallied from a 3-0 deficit to secure an 8-3 victory, while Melina Christodoulou and Mary Kalorin dominated at No. 1 doubles with an 8-0 win.

Christodoulou continued her strong play in singles, delivering a 6-3, 6-0 win at No. 1, while Kalorin capped an undefeated Landmark season (11-0) with a 6-4, 6-1 comeback victory at No. 2. With a championship pedigree and key returners, Drew looks to extend its dominance in the Landmark Conference.

PRESEASON POLL

The 2024-25 Landmark Conference women's tennis season is set to be highly competitive, with Moravian University narrowly edging out Drew University for the top spot in the preseason coaches' poll. Both programs earned five first-place votes, but Moravian (76 points) holds a slight advantage over Drew (75 points) as the early favorite in the title race.

Scranton (60 points) and Goucher (59 points) are poised to challenge at the top, while Catholic (52 points) rounds out the projected postseason contenders.

Wilkes (32 points) leads the next tier of teams, with Susquehanna and Juniata tied at 30 points as they look to take the next step with young rosters. Elizabethtown and Lycoming, tied for ninth with 18 points, will aim to surpass expectations and climb the conference standings.

Catholic University

  • Head Coach: Nate Farlow (3rd Season)
  • 2023-24 Record: 10-12 (5-4 Landmark Conference)

Catholic University looks to build on its strong fall performance as it enters the spring portion of the 2024-25 season. Under head coach Nate Farlow, the Cardinals posted a 5-1 record, including a Landmark Conference victory over Susquehanna, with their only loss coming against Dickinson.

The roster features a balanced mix of experience and new talent, with eight returners and four first-years. Leading the way are Mairead O'Hara and Ava Niggemeier, both of whom earned All-Conference honors last season.

Catholic begins spring play on March 1 at Elizabethtown before traveling to Hilton Head, S.C., for its annual spring break trip, aiming to carry its fall momentum into the Landmark Conference race.

Drew University

  • Head Coach: Geoffrey Diehl (1st Season)
  • 2023-24 Record: 13-7 (9-0 Landmark Conference)

Drew University enters the spring season following a 3-2 fall campaign, with its only setbacks coming against strong opponents in Hartwick and Ithaca. Despite those challenges, the Rangers remain poised to contend for another Landmark Conference title this spring.

The team returns nine players from last season, including All-Conference singles selections Mary Kalorin and Natalia Zamora. However, Drew will need to fill the void left by Melina Christodoulou, a four-time First Team All-Conference honoree, 2024 Co-Player of the Year, and 2021 Rookie of the Year.

The Rangers open spring play on Feb. 21 against Washington College before heading to Hilton Head, S.C., for their annual spring break trip. Their Landmark Conference schedule resumes on Mar. 22 with a key matchup at Catholic.

Elizabethtown College

  • Head Coach: Michael Anderson (8th Season)
  • 2023-24 Record: 7-8 (2-7 Landmark Conference)

Elizabethtown looks to turn the page on a tough 0-2 fall campaign as it navigates the 2024-25 season without former No. 1 singles player Olivia Richards and key contributor Morgan Bleicher.

The Blue Jays will rely on returners Haley Bishop, who played primarily at No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles, and Gabriella Palladini, a key presence at No. 3 singles and in doubles play. With a blend of experience and potential new talent, Elizabethtown aims to rise in the Landmark standings and contend for a postseason berth.

The Blue Jays open their spring schedule on Feb. 22 against Lancaster Bible before facing conference opponent Juniata the following day.

Goucher College

  • Head Coach: Debbie Holtschneider (1st Season)
  • 2023-24 Record: 11-8 (7-2 Landmark Conference)

Goucher enters the spring season following a strong 2-1 fall campaign, looking to build momentum as it aims to remain a top contender in the Landmark Conference.

The Gophers return key contributors Natalia Navarro, Lucy Ingraham, and Eliza Abaday, all of whom played pivotal roles in both singles and doubles. Ingraham and Abaday bring additional leadership as All-Conference honorees from last season.

Despite the departures of Aaliyah Ybarra and Jessica Townes, Goucher's depth and experience position the team well for another competitive season. The Gophers return to action on Feb. 28 at Salisbury before opening Landmark play on Mar. 2 at Elizabethtown.

Juniata College

  • Head Coach: Paul Tobin (1st Year)
  • 2023-24 Record: 4-10 (2-7 Landmark Conference)

Juniata looks to build on a 4-10 (2-7 Landmark) campaign as it enters the 2024-25 season with a strong returning core.

Shveta Kalathur, Celia Navarro de Torres, and Medina Yessenaliyeva—last season’s Landmark Rookie and Co-Player of the Year—bring experience and leadership to the lineup. Yessenaliyeva and Torres also earned Second Team All-Conference honors in doubles, providing stability in both singles and doubles play.

The Eagles will need to replace key departures in Marta Celebic, Maggie Ackley, and Marilyn Ogof, but with continued development and improved depth, they aim to climb the Landmark Conference standings. Juniata opens spring play on Feb. 23 in a conference matchup at Elizabethtown.

Lycoming College

  • Head Coach: Joel Reid (3rd Season)
  • 2023-24 Record: 4-13 (2-7 Landmark Conference)

Lycoming opened the season strong with a 7-2 non-conference record but faces a challenge in Landmark play after an 0-2 start.

As the Warriors look to turn things around in conference action, they will rely on a deep returning core led by Rei Saar (No. 1), Emma Kelchner (No. 2), and Sarah Lanphear (No. 3), along with Greta Kimble (No. 5) and Cassandra Conner (No. 6).

The departure of former No. 1 Emily Wolfgang leaves a key spot to fill, but Lycoming aims to build on its early success and make strides in the Landmark standings. The Warriors resume conference play on Mar. 22 with a road matchup at Goucher.

Moravian University

  • Head Coach: Mariana Freitas (4th Season)
  • 2023-24 Record: 15-5 (7-2 Landmark Conference)

Moravian enters the 2024-25 season as the preseason favorite in the Landmark Conference after a successful 2023-24 campaign, finishing 15-5 (7-2 Landmark) and advancing to the conference championship match. The Greyhounds built on their strong performance in the fall, finishing with a 4-1 record, their only loss coming at the hands of East Stroudsburg University.

The team returns a core group of talented players, led by All-Conference First Team singles selection Leah Zolotareva, along with First Team singles honoree Izzy Szmodis, Second Team singles recognition for Ali Bender, and Sydney Shifman. Zolotareva and Bender also earned Honorable Mention honors in doubles. While they will need to fill the void left by depth players Mara Stapleton, Gabby Martin, and Emily Masters, the Greyhounds' top-tier experience positions them well for another run at the championship.

Moravian kicks off its spring season on Feb. 23 against Muhlenberg before heading to Orlando, F.L., for their spring break trip on Mar. 2.

University of Scranton

  • Head Coach: Janice Winslow (11th Season)
  • 2023-24 Record: 11-8 (7-2 Landmark Conference)

Scranton looks to build on a strong 2024 campaign that saw the Royals finish 11-8 (7-2 Landmark) and establish themselves as one of the top teams in the conference. Despite a 1-3 record in the fall, the Royals are poised for improvement as they head into the spring portion of their season.

Key returners Daniella Wisniewski and Giselle Falzone, both Second Team All-Conference selections, will lead the team, providing a solid foundation for Scranton. The loss of Lily Nowak, a First Team singles selection, creates a gap in the lineup, but with the depth and talent on the roster, the Royals remain well-positioned for a postseason push and a potential Landmark title.

Scranton resumes its season on Mar. 9 against Juniata before heading to Orlando, F.L., for their spring break trip.

Susquehanna University

  • Head Coach: Bob Jordan (31st Season)
  • 2023-24 Record: 3-13 (0-8 Landmark Conference)

Susquehanna enters the spring season looking to build on a solid 3-3 fall campaign. Sophomore Alexa Wanamaker has been a consistent anchor for the team, holding the No. 1 spot in both singles and doubles. With a youthful roster, the River Hawks will lean on key contributions from first-year standouts Kaiya Reisinger and Mackenzie Romig, aiming to develop and compete at a high level in the Landmark Conference.

The River Hawks begin their spring play on Mar. 1 against DeSales before resuming Landmark action on Mar. 22 against Moravian.

Wilkes University

  • Head Coach: Scott Veith (1st Season)
  • 2023-24 Record: 4-10 (4-5 Landmark Conference)

Wilkes aims to improve on a 4-10 (4-5 Landmark) campaign as it looks to break into the upper half of the conference standings in 2024-25. Under the guidance of new head coach Scott Veith, the former head coach at Drew University and the winningest coach in Drew and Landmark Conference history, the Colonels started the season strong with a perfect 3-0 fall record, including a 1-0 mark in conference play, setting a positive tone for the spring season.

Key returners Tea Amerise and Kensington Edmond will be central to the team’s success as they look to lead the charge. However, the Colonels will need to fill the void left by the departures of Zoe Klein and Cassidy Greenman. With a blend of experience and emerging talent, Wilkes will strive to contend for a postseason spot in the competitive Landmark Conference field.

The Colonels kick off their spring season at the Spring Tennis Fest in Hilton Head, South Carolina, from March 2-9. They will resume Landmark play with a match at Juniata on Mar. 22.

CREATED BY
Hayli Akakpo-Martin

Credits:

Created with an image by Cagkan - "tennis racket, line and a tennis ball on a concrete court"