Tigers Banking on Worldwide Talent as Tennis Season Opens

Student-athletes from every stretch of the globe will be representing both the University of West Alabama men and women's tennis teams when the Tigers open the regular season against Tuskegee Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Vaughan Tennis Complex on the UWA campus.

A quick glance at both rosters offers proof that the UWA coaching staff has looked far and wide to obtain the talent necessary to compete in a tough Gulf South Conference and an even tougher NCAA Division II South Region. Players on the UWA roster come from Canada, Peru, Finland, Germany, Ukraine, England, Colombia, Spain, Venezuela, Poland, and Uzbekistan.

In his 17^th year as a collegiate head coach, Jeff Beaman is cautiously optimistic about his first season at UWA. Beaman is positive and excited about what he believes both teams are capable of in 2016 with just a few additions, as well as returning players worth paying attention to.

The newest members of the women's team include Amina Mukhametshina, Andrea Tomassone and Liliana Araucz. Men's newcomers include Julius Kaverinen and Henrik Sinkko, both from Finland.

Junior Caspar Schuetze is an anchor and leader on the men's team, while senior Sandra Florez fills that role for the women.

"It helps because Caspar knows the way games are supposed to go, and his experience makes them go more smoothly." Beaman said. "He was here and was a part of the team that was as high as eighth in the nation during his freshmen year."

Schuetze's options following graduation with a BBA from the College of Business and Technology include graduate school at UWA or back home in Germany. A senior from Bogota, Columbia, Florez plans to travel to Brazil to earn a doctorate in either plant or cell biology.

The match against Tuskegee is the first of five straight at home for the men and four consecutive home matches for the women. There is no admission charge to attend Tiger tennis matches.

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Players Mentioned

Caspar Schuetze: 6' 2"; Junior

Sandra Florez: 5' 3"; Senior

Amina Mukhametshina: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Andrea Tomassone: 5' 5"; Freshman

Liliana Araucz: 5' 9"; Freshman

Henrik Sinkko: 6' 0"; Freshman

Julius Kaverinen: 5' 9"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Caspar Schuetze
: 6' 2"; Junior

Sandra Florez
: 5' 3"; Senior

Amina Mukhametshina
: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Andrea Tomassone
: 5' 5"; Freshman

Liliana Araucz
: 5' 9"; Freshman

Henrik Sinkko
: 6' 0"; Freshman

Julius Kaverinen
: 5' 9"; Freshman