Women's tennis set to start spring campaign

Following an eventful fall season, the Troy women’s tennis team is counting down to its spring debut. The season is set to open in Jacksonville, Florida, when the Trojans take on North Florida. Saturday Jan. 24 marks the beginning of a journey that concludes in April at the Sun Belt Tournament. 

Leading the team is the senior duo of Valeriia Avdeeva and Maria Guirguis. Avdeeva finished the fall season with a 6-5 record in singles play, while Guirguis went 8-3. As a duo, the seniors went 6-5. Last season, both players earned All-Sun Belt Singles Second Team honors. 

Alexia Zarate will also be taking part in the spring season. She went 7-5 in the fall, ending the season with three straight victories. In doubles action, Zarate went 4-8 while battling alongside two different partners – she went 2-4 while teaming with both Veena Nazar and Leena Metwally. 

Troy Athletics photo

Alexia Zarate crushes a backhand during a tournament last fall

Metwally is looking to build off a season where she earned an All-Sun Belt Second Team nod for her doubles play. In 2024, Metwally and Hagar Ramadan-Amin went 7-0 in conference play.  

Sama Hindawy looks to build on her fall season as well – she was 7-5 in singles play.

Hindawy shined in doubles play where she boasted an 8-4 recordalongside Emilia Namyslo. 

Troy’s nonconference schedule is highlighted by a trip to Gainesville, Florida, to battle the Florida Gators. The Trojans are also set to take on Nicholls and Florida A&M.  

Conference play kicks off March 8 when Troy travels to Atlanta to take on Coastal Carolina.

Additionally, the Trojans will take on South Alabama, Texas State and Louisiana. 

Entering her 15th season overall and 13th season at the helm for the Trojans is Rawia Elsisi.

In 2024, Elsisi coached the Trojans to a second straight conference semifinals appearance.

Furthermore, Troy ended the season as the tenth ranked team in ITA Southern Regional rankings.  

2024 also saw the Trojans secure their most wins in a single season with 16. In conference play, Troy secured nine wins. Those nine wins included Elsisi’s first victory over South Alabama and a victory over the No. 70 Georgia Southern Eagles.