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BLACKSBURG, Va. – The No. 60 Virginia Tech women’s tennis team will open the spring, dual portion of its schedule on Saturday, Jan. 29, hosting Elon at 10 a.m. followed by East Carolina in the afternoon at 4 p.m. at the Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center on the Virginia Tech campus.

Tech enters the season ranked No. 60 in the most recent Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) poll. Eight players return from last year’s team that finished 10-15 overall, including three wins against nationally ranked opponents. The 2011 team was also ranked No. 58 in the final national poll and sixth in the Atlantic region.

Returning this season is senior Martha Blakely who finished last season 12th in the region while she and senior partner Courtney Rauscher, who also returns for the Hokies, were tied for 10th in the doubles regional standings at the end of the 2011 campaign. Tech also returns seniors Shannon Betts and Katie Blow, juniors Megan Conley and Emily Lauten and sophomores Tea Ivanovic and Isel Martinez-Marcos. Newcomer, Carol Kahoun rounds out the 2012 squad.

Tech competed in six tournaments during the fall in preparation for the spring season. Ivanovic had a record of 7-4 and took the C flight title at the Hokie Fall Invitational. Lauten and Blow were 9-5 and 7-6, respectively. Blow also claimed the B flight title at the Martha Thorn Invitational. Martinez-Marcos also had a solid fall campaign with a 6-5 mark and Blakely was 4-5.

Elon (1-1) picked up a win over North Carolina A&T in its last match. The Phoenix swept the Aggies, 7-0. Elon finished sixth last season in the Southern Conference standings. This is the first match for East Carolina this season. The Pirates were ranked 10th in Conference USA at the end of last season.

Following Saturday’s matches the Hokies will open ACC play on Tuesday, Jan. 31 when they host in-state rival No. 9 Virginia at 4 p.m.

For updates on Virginia Tech women's tennis, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_WTennis).