Cal State Fullerton's women's tennis team returns to the Titans' courts Wednesday afternoon for a somewhat historical match against Azusa Pacific University. Play begins at 1:30 p.m. and there is no admission charge.
The visiting Cougars are opening their season, their first at the NCAA Div. II level after transitioning the past few years from NAIA status. They were ranked No. 13 in the Div. II national pre-season poll.
APU features a Div. I transfer in Valeriia Kashina, who was 7-13 at No. 1 singles last year for Southeast Missouri. The native of Togliatta, Russia, is ranked No. 33 nationally and teammate Natalie Johnson is rated No. 26 coming off a 20-4 freshman season. The Cougars' top doubles team of Johnson and Danae Ingwaldson is rated No. 17 nationally.
Fullerton is 2-3 on the dual match season, having lost its last three matches to San Diego State, San Diego and Long Beach State by identical scores of 6-1.
Camille DeLeon won both her singles and doubles matches against Long Beach, which was ranked No. 40 in the nation last week.
Fullerton does not return to Big West competition until Feb. 14 with a home match against UC Davis.