ELKINS, W. Va --

Returning three of their top four players from 2019, the Davis & Elkins College Women's Tennis team looks to kick off their 2020 season with a successful weekend trip to Tennessee, taking on King on Friday and Lees-McRae on Saturday at the Bristol Racquet and Fitness Club.

After a strong fall season which included three dual match wins, and an impressive doubles performance by sophomore Taylour Newman and senior Ester Bolmenas at the ITA Atlantic Regional Championships, the Senators hope to carry that momentum into Head Coach Jay Evans' third season.

Newman, Bolmenas, and senior Laura Vargas return from the top portion of last year's squad, and will be joined by three freshmen and one sophomore in the mix for the singles line-up.

Newman and Bolmenas are currently the Atlantic Region's #9 ranked doubles tandem, and will slot at the #1 doubles position for the second consecutive season. Vargas went 3-0 in dual matches in the fall, including a 2-0 mark at #1 singles, while freshmen Rosalie Naber, Elysia Cain, and Cara Long will see significant action for D&E. Sophomore Julianna Singleton also returns to the line-up after missing the fall with an injury.

After the opening trip to Tennessee, D&E will head south for Spring Break, taking on Johnson C. Smith in a big early-season regional match, ahead of four matches in the Sunshine State against Embry-Riddle, Walsh, Eckerd, and Ave Maria.

A non-conference match with Bluefield State on March 21st sets D&E up for their home opener against the Atlantic region's #2 ranked team on March 24th, as Charleston will visit Elkins. A quick turnaround sends the Senators to Ohio to take on Notre Dame College, as the two teams will meet for the first time since 2017. D&E will head to Fairmont State on March 31st, as the Falcons were picked 4th in the MEC Preseason Poll, just ahead of the Senators.

Three home matches in a row follow, as preseason favorite West Virginia State visits Elkins on April 1st, followed by a weekend back-to-back with Frostburg State and Salem. A tough road match at West Liberty on April 7th and a short trip to West Virginia Wesleyan on April 9th completes the majority of MEC play for the Senators, who will then host three matches to close out the regular season. Bluefield College (April 11th), Concord (April 18th) and Shaw on April 20th will set the Senators up for the MEC Championships the following weekend in Charleston.

"Our girls had a strong fall season full of gaining experience while building confidence, and I'm excited to see how that will translate in our first season in the MEC," said Head Coach Jay Evans.

"We've got the talent to compete, and our sights are set on returning to the conference tournament this season," added Evans.

The Senators will open up play against King University at 2:00 P.M. on Friday in Bristol, Tennessee.