Women's tennis team ready to compete in Region 8 Tournament

The Eastern Florida State College women's tennis team will compete in the Region 8 Women's Tennis Tournament beginning Thursday at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs.

The Titans will compete with Hillsborough Community College, the State College of Manatee and St. Petersburg College for the Region 8 title and a spot in the NJCAA Division I National Championship Tournament.

"We see these teams all season and Hillsborough is really good, they are kind of above everyone else and then the rest of us are a little closer in ability. I honestly think the tournament will come down to adjustments, shape and physical fitness," Eastern Florida State College women's tennis coach Bobby Cashman said. "It is a new season now and I feel that benefits us. We had some challenges early this season and if we can have everyone back competing, it will be interesting."

The tournament begins with the first-round matches in both the six singles and three doubles brackets on Thursday with the doubles matches also being best two of three sets.

"Our doubles teams have improved a lot in a short period of time, and you like to see that," Cashman said. "It is much different, an eight-point pro set is a sprint and a two out of three sets is anything but. You have time to make adjustments, I think that may help us because we are young and we can make adjustments. Calm our nerves and be able to come back if we get behind.  You have to be in shape and ready to go and I think that helps us."

The Titans have been playing better the last few weeks and feel ready to compete as the postseason begins.

"They have gotten better as the season has progressed, they have grown up. We have had a tough schedule and I think while we are not as deep, they have played a lot of tough matches and this group cares about each other and fights for each other and I like that," Cashman said. "We could be there at the end of the tournament."

The tournament will continue on Friday until they crown champions in each division.

The top two teams will qualify for the national tournament which is at the Reffkin Tennis Center in Tucson, Arizona on May 7-11.

"We have to have good back to back days and the tournament will let us know if we can do that. I think we will rest this week and then have to be ready to fight and compete starting Thursday," Cashman said.