Women's tennis team ready for Region 8 Tournament

The Eastern Florida State College women's tennis team has had an up and down season, but heads into the Region 8 Women's Tennis Tournament this weekend with high hopes.

The Titans, who finished runner-up in the tournament last season to qualify for the NJCAA Division I Tournament, come into the tournament as one of six teams trying to punch their ticket to this year's national tournament.

"The team has worked hard in the weight room, on the court and conditioning all semester, I am proud of this group," Eastern Florida State College women's tennis coach Bobby Cashman said. "Especially with the way they have come together in such a short period of time."

The state tournament begins on Friday at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs and feel like they can compete for the title. 

"It doesn't matter how the season went, for this tournament we can be good. We have to just play our best and show everyone that we are a good team," freshman Tsveti Trifonova said. "I think it was a really good season for us even though we lost some matches. We have played all of the girls, so we know how to play and coach has helped us a lot to prepare. I think we can be competitive this weekend."

Valeria Arevalo is one of the players that has been to the state tournament and knows what it will take to have success.

"I think it is going to be a tough weekend, all of the teams are so close to each other. It all comes down to how you play that day and just competing," Arevalo said. "We know it will be physically challenging and we have to be ready for that. It will be tough but fun."