LAKELAND, Fla.- Head coach of the Southeastern men's and women's tennis teams, Drew Dickens, has released both team's schedules for the 2023 season.
The Fire men are coming off a 14-7 season that was highlighted by eight wins over NAIA Top 25 ranked programs including No. 5 Reinhardt for their highest ranked win in program history. The men's season would conclude in the NAIA National Tournament Round of 16 with a loss to No. 4 Indiana Wesleyan, earning them a 14
th place ranking to end the season. The Fire women would secure their highest ranking in program history in 2022 after four NAIA Top 25 wins and a 12-5 overall record earned them a 12
th place national ranking. A 4-0 loss to No. 3 LSU-Alexandria would see their season end in the NAIA Round of 16 along with the men.
Upon release of the 2023 schedule, Dickens stated, "We are excited to begin the spring season as we hope to carry momentum from a great season last year. The schedule is likely our toughest schedule we have ever had which will be a great challenge and opportunity to show where we currently are at. We currently have over 10 nationally ranked opponents on the schedule which is the most we have ever had."
The women will see the first action of the new year on January 31
st in a scrimmage against the State College of Florida on the road at 4:30.
Both teams will then begin February with a home contest against Embry-Riddle with the men taking on Gustavus Adolphus on February 4
th at home at 1 p.m.
Warner University will be the Fire's first Sun Conference competitor as both teams host the Royals at 1 p.m. on March 1
st.
Regarding the conference schedule, Dickens stated, "It is also a huge blessing to be a part of a conference that is as strong as the Sun Conference. We had four men's teams, and four women's teams qualify last year to the national tournament. I believe every team has gotten even better for this upcoming season, which ultimately benefits the entire conference."
Both teams will then travel to Lawrenceville, Ga. to compete in four contests over as many days in a tournament hosted by Georgia Gwinnett. The stretch will begin with a 2 p.m. contest against Our Lady of the Lake on March 3
rd with William Carey following the next day at 10 a.m. On March 5
th, the Fire teams will compete against two Georgia Gwinnett programs that have combined for 14 national championship titles and will conclude their trip on March 6
th against William Woods.
The final weeks of March and beginning of April will consist of multiple SUN contests with a home contest against St. Thomas on March 24
th beginning the conference stretch. The following day, the Fire will compete against NAIA powerhouse, Keiser University, at home. Both teams will then hit the road to Ave Maria on March 31
st.
The month of April will begin on the 7
th for the men as they face a road contest against Rollins College. Back-to-back road SUN contests will conclude the regular season for both teams as they take on the College of Coastal Georgia on April 14
th and SCAD-Savannah on the 15
th.
All home contests will be played at the Beerman Family Tennis Complex in Lakeland, Fla.
"Our players have trained hard this fall and are extremely motivated for what lies ahead," said Dickens.
