INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI women’s tennis team begins its 2012 campaign on Wednesday, Jan. 18, when it travels to nearby Muncie, Ind., to take on Ball State University. The match is set to begin at 6 p.m.

The Jags finished with a 6-19 overall record a season ago, including a 4-4 Summit League record, but IUPUI closed out its campaign winning three consecutive matches to send the team into the off-season with tremendous optimism.

“We are so excited to get back on the court for our first match against Ball State,” said head coach Cameron Currie. “Our team has more depth, is stronger, and hungrier year after year to be victorious and have a good shot of winning the Summit League Championships.”

“Although Ball State will be a tough, challenging first match, we look forward to the competition because all it is doing is preparing us for conference play.”

Five players return this season for the Jags, highlighted by junior Vanessa Whyte. Whyte earned all-conference honors a season ago after going undefeated in league action at the No. 3 singles spot.

She will be joined by fellow juniors Shelby Hullett, Alisha Cummings and Jesika Bays, and sophomore Danielle Haefele.

Currie also welcomes two freshmen to her experienced squad this season in Abbey Neff and Rachael Bridegroom.

“[The freshmen] give us depth and a really good forecourt game,” Currie said. “I also think they are going to be really beneficial in doubles, which is really important in our match because we start with doubles and that sets the momentum of the match. Adding them into that lineup will really make a difference for us this season.”

Ball State concluded last season with an 8-15 overall record and lost to eventual Mid-American Conference champion Miami (OH) in the MAC Quarterfinals.

The Cardinals return six players from its 2011 roster and added the No. 18 recruiting class in the country according the tennisrecruiting.net.