2014 Schedule

Poised to build off the program's first 20-win season, Academy of Art University Women's Tennis eagerly awaits the start of its 2014 campaign this Tuesday, Feb. 11. ART U will be guided by first-year head coach Beth Daub, a highly successful assistant from Saint Leo, and is armed with a returning core of talented players, two elements contributing to the Urban Knights' #26 national ranking entering the year. 

"This season we are focusing on hard work and dedication," Coach Daub said. "As it is my first season, I think it is important for the team to come together and work diligently towards our team goals and accomplish them as a group."

Highlights from the Urban Knights' 2013 season included a nine-match winning streak, 15 victories in a stretch of 16 matches, and a 7-1 record at home. Academy of Art finished fifth overall in the Pacific West Conference Tournament, ending with a win over a Top 25 program. For more on last year, click here.

When the first serves connect against Fresno Pacific at 2:00 PM this Tuesday, Feb. 11, ART U begins its 2014 quest which features a heavy road slate in the first half followed by a seven-match homestand in the second half prior the PacWest Championship Tournament. The Urban Knights travel to Glendale, AZ for neutral site pairings with Chaminade (Feb. 13) and Western New Mexico (Feb. 14) before road contests at Dominican (Feb. 21) and Sonoma State (Feb. 23). A home match against Holy Names (Feb. 28) closes out February before a Southern California roadtrip with Azusa Pacific (Mar. 7), Point Loma (Mar. 8), and UC San Diego (Mar. 9).

From mid-March to early April, Academy of Art will play exclusively in the confines of the San Francisco Tennis Club with Division I Weber State (Mar. 13) and Dominican (Mar. 16) coming the first week. In another mix of PacWest and CCAA opponents, ART U hosts UH Hilo (Mar. 25), Cal State Los Angeles (Mar. 27), and Dixie State (Mar. 29) the week that follows. Finally, for just the second time in program history, 2013 NCAA Champion runner-up and PacWest Champion BYU-Hawaii will come to play the Knights in the Bay Area on Apr. 4 after which Sonoma State finishes the homestand with an Apr. 6 rematch.

"We are on the road quite a bit at the start of the season, but we are ready for it and it's a great way for the girls to bond even more when we are always together," Coach Daub said. "Having a stretch of home matches after being on the road is always nice for the girls. Their fans and fellow artist-athletes will be able to come support them. It will give them some extra ART U pride before the PacWest Tournament."

With the conclusion of the homestand, Academy of Art takes a brief roadtrip to Fresno Pacific (Apr. 10) and Cal State Stanislaus (Apr. 12) then heads to Surprise, AZ for this year's Pacific West Conference Championship Tournament scheduled for Apr. 16-19. This year's NCAA Division II National Championship takes place May 14-17 at Sanlando Park in Alamonte Springs, FL.

Several familiar faces return to the court in 2014 with six of the seven Urban Knights back for action. Nina Gajdosikova, the squad's number one at both singles and doubles last season, comes off a stellar doubles year with teammate Daniela Amelunge Antelo. Together the pair went 19-5 overall (14-5 in the top position) and each individual captured 20 victories apiece. They would combine to go 20-12 in their singles play.

"Nina Gajdosikova is such a hard worker and isn't satisfied until she has given her all," Coach Daub said. "She is a great player who leads by example of never giving up and fighting for it all. Our senior Dani Amelunge is back and ready to go. Amelunge and Gajdosikova are looking to continue their doubles success again this year."

Michelle Dandik Zaale, holder of the program's single-season singles wins record with 19 in 2013 despite being a freshman, and Lucia Zavarcikova, owner of a 5-1 record at #4 singles and a five-match singles win streak to end the season, each return as well.

"Michelle Dandik and Lucy Zavarcikova have had so many great battles during practice that I cannot wait to see what they bring to the matches," Coach Daub said.

The team's entirely international roster is rounded out by Jenny Johansson, who set single-season program records in both doubles wins (21) and singles winning percentage (.895, 17-2), Kinga Kurczbuch, who rebounded from a 2012 injury to contribute in 2013, and Annika Schnieder, a freshman from Weisloch, Germany.

"The energy and Knights spirit is brought to life from Jenny Johansson," Coach Daub said. "She always gives her all and will fight to the end. Kinga Kurczbuch is solid player whose experience will help us during those big matches and our only freshman, Annika Schneider, has been a wonderful addition to our squad. She has a bright future ahead of her."

Driven by a strong sense of unity and the ever-present possibility of reaching the NCAA postseason, ART U Women's Tennis serves up its 2014 game this Tuesday.

"This season I want the Knights to realize what they are capable of," Coach Daub said. "We have already seen little improvements, but if they keep to the plan and believe in the team, they can reach our goals and go beyond. There is no limit for this squad and we can't wait to see what the future brings. Go Knights!!"