Tennis | 1/30/2017 8:03:00 PM

MOORHEAD, Minn. — The Minnesota State University Moorhead women's tennis team opens the 2017 season on Friday when it hosts the Concordia Cobbers at 6 p.m. on Friday at Courts Plus in Fargo, N.D.

MSUM returns three starters from last year's team that went 9-8 and advanced to the semifinals of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Senior Jessamy Jones is entering her fourth season as a starter while senior Maria Moral Carretero and junior Ricquel Ramsbottom are entering their second season as starters.

Jones has a career singles record of 31-22; she was 10-7 last season. She will have a new doubles partner this season as Ashley Wood graduated.

Moral Carretero was 5-7 in singles last season while Ramsbottom had a team-best 11-3 singles mark.

"Everyone on the team is fired up for the season to start," MSUM head coach Oliver Summers said. "We have a very young team and I'm confident that Jess, Maria and Ricquel will help those new players with the experience of college tennis."

After the three starters, the Dragons will be young with six freshmen on the roster. Freshmen Alexis Konecne and Olivia Keelin have earned spots in the starting lineup. Other freshmen contending for playing time include Chessa Jones, Danielle Unruh, Maia Wendel and Emma Zamora.  All four saw action during the fall season.

After this Friday's dual, MSUM will be on the road for several matches until March 24 when the Dragons host Minnesota Morris.