MOORHEAD, Minn. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead women's tennis team begins its 2014 season this week with three home matches, which will be held at Courts Plus in Fargo, N.D. MSUM will open the season on Friday against the College of St. Benedict for a nonconference match at 7 p.m.

The Dragons will then open conference play on Saturday against Minnesota Duluth (1 p.m. match) and wrap up the week with a match against Minnesota Crookston at 9 a.m. on Sunday.

MSUM is entering its second season under the direction of Head Coach Oliver Summers, who is joined this year by assistant coach Andrea Rognlien.

"I'm really excited about this upcoming season, the freshmen and one transfer on the team are going to make an instant impact on our results," Summers said.  "They come in with a ton of experience to add to our players from last year still on the team. Not only that but we were lucky to bring on Andrea Rognlien as our assistant coach who has experience playing and coaching against some of the top teams in this area. Practices have been going great -- I really feel like we have a highly motivated team ready to compete against anyone."

MSUM has two seniors on its roster – Kaitlin McNary and Cortnei Chance. McNary is in her fourth year in the Dragon program and saw time at both doubles and singles a year ago. Chance competed at Northern State last year before that program folded. She was 4-3 in singles and 7-2 in doubles for the Wolves last season.

Four sophomores return with experience for MSUM: Kaitlyn Emerson, Cassie Smith, Morgan Smith and Ashley Wood. Morgan Smith led MSUM with six singles wins a year ago, while Morgan Smith and Cassie Smith teamed up for a team-best 5-6 doubles mark. Wood started all 13 matches a year ago with Emerson teamed up with McNary to start 12 doubles matches for MSUM.

MSUM have three freshmen who will look to make an immediate contribution in 2014: Jessamy Jones, Rebecca Lukes and Mariah Stein.

"My goal is for us to make it into the conference championships," Summers said. "We have the talent on the team to do that and it's my job to make sure everyone plays to their potential. It's going to be a great year for Dragon tennis."