Full of newcomers, women's tennis starts spring season vs. Navy

Second-year Terrapin women's tennis coach Howard Joffe has described his squad as a "new-look team."

And despite years and years of losing in the powerful ACC, he has laid the groundwork for what might finally be a successful turnaround in the next several years. His first chance to chart that progress will be today against Navy.

The match will offer an opportunity to take a glimpse at the future of his young program. There are four freshmen on the squad, and Joffe has said they all will get their chance to start immediately. Each hails from a different reach of the globe: Cristina Stancu is from Romania, Jordaan Sanford from California, Megan Dailey from Missouri and Welma Luus from South Africa.

Two transfers will make their debuts for the Terps. Cristina Sanchez-Quintanar, a junior from Spain, will play after sitting out last year due to NCAA transfer rules. Ana Belzunce, a sophomore newcomer from Spain, will join her.

The lone senior, Julia Huschke, and the only junior nontransfer, Jordan Hansbrough, round out the starting lineup and will head the roster with experience and leadership. Joffe hopes the freshmen can acclimate quickly to the tennis season with their help.

"I expect it to be a challenge," Joffe said of the upcoming match. "The players are very excited to begin the season. ... I expect them to fight very hard with a good attitude and go about our business in the right way, and we'll live with the results."

munson@umdbk.com