AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The Augusta State men’s and women’s tennis teams open up their spring 2008 seasons on Friday, Feb. 1, when they host Wingate in a pair of non-conference matches at Newman Tennis Center.

Coming off of a successful fall season competing in three tournaments, the men’s and women’s teams moved into the top 30 in the national rankings. The men’s squad earned a No. 19 ITA national ranking while the women’s team moved up to No. 29 in the nation. Under coach Michael McGrath, Lady Jaguar junior Nathalia Rodrigues was rated No. 39 in the NCAA’s Division II individual women’s rankings.

On the singles court last fall, Wu Ferraz made it to the flight five finals in the Newman Collegiate Championships but was knocked off by Georgia College and State’s Matt Belenchia. Also in singles Vitor Zandona claimed the flight four consolation championship 6-0, 7-6 over Jose Valarezo of Wingate. In doubles John Smith and Igor Vasconcellos captured the flight three double championship over Paula Avila and Christian Warnholtz of Limestone for their first title of the fall season.

The women’s team collected four victories in six flights of play in the Newman Collegiate Invitational. In singles, Fernanda Chiaparini tabbed a flight two title, Bianca Machado notched the flight four title, Camila Correa in flight five and Luiza Pires in flight six. For the doubles, Chiaparini and Rodrigues captured the flight one title with a 9-7 win.

The ASU netters play three of their four matches at home at Newman Tennis Center before hitting the road for nine consecutive dates.