FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Second-year head coach Doug Neagle and the Nova Southeastern University women's tennis program have released the full 2017-18 women's tennis slate, set to begin with the ITA South Region Championship in Valdosta, Ga. from Sept. 22-25.
 
"I cannot wait for the season to begin," Stated Neagle. "We are playing in three fall tournaments compared to one in 2016. This will give our girls the opportunity display their talent and prepare for our tough spring schedule. Our 2018 campaign will be more difficult than last year, playing five Top-10 teams and four Division I teams. The girls love great competition and to be the best, you have to beat the best."
 
After the South Regional Championship, NSU will compete in the Buccaneer Invite hosted Barry University from Nov. 3-5 and the FIT Invite hosted by Florida Tech in Melbourne from Nov. 10-12.
 
The Sharks are slated for 12 matches at the NSU Tennis Complex beginning with a five-game home stand. Opening weekend will feature the two opponents NSU opened the 2017 season against, Keiser Feb. 1 and Flagler College Feb. 3. The Sharks will then face NAIA program, Southeastern University Feb. 8 and Sunshine State Conference foes, Florida Tech and Saint Leo on Feb 16 and 17.
 
"This is a tough opening weekend, same teams, different year," Neagle added. "Last season, Keiser advanced to the NAIA semifinals and Flagler finished at No. 8 in the final 2017 Division II poll with a 20-5 record while advancing to the Southeast Region semifinals. It'll be a test for us, and we will see how we respond to Flagler after they beat us last year."
 
Other key matches on home court will feature Academy of the Art Mar 25, who finished last season ranked No. 9 in the final Division II poll, and the defending NCAA Division II National Champion, Barry, on Mar. 27. The Sharks will also host three Division I opponents, Georgetown Mar. 4, University of Richmond Mar. 14 and the University of Delaware Mar. 27.
 
The road schedule for the Sharks proves to be just as difficult starting with Rollins and Division I program, Stetson University on Mar. 3 and 4. Another key road trip will be a match will feature three regional opponents starting with Valdosta State on Mar. 6 before traveling to Pensacola, Fla. to face West Florida and West Alabama. Valdosta State finished the final 2017 poll at No. 12 while UWF and UWA ended 2017 at No. 8 and No. 27.
 
The biggest road challenge for the Sharks this year will be their final road game, against Lynn, on Apr. 4. Lynn finished No. 3 in the final NCAA poll and was also the NCAA Division II runner-up to Barry.
 
The Sharks will close the regular season with home matches against Palm Beach Atlantic Apr. 11 and St. Thomas Apr. 12 and then prepare to compete in the Sunshine State Conference Tournament held at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. from Apr.19-21. In order to secure a spot, the Sharks will have to finish in the top-eight in the SSC standings.
 
For the full Nova Southeastern women's tennis schedule, CLICK HERE. To stay up-to-date with the Sharks, follow them on twitter @NSU_WTennis.