Junior Louisa Werner, who earned All-GLVC honors for the second straight year last season, leads this year's group of returning UMSL women's tennis team members. Werner ranked seventh in the final ITA Midwest Regional Rankings in singles play, where she posted a 20-4 record at the No. 1 spot. She was 19-6 in doubles action. (Photo by Danny Reise)

The University of Missouri–St. Louis women’s tennis team opened the fall portion of its schedule Friday with the weekendlong Lynn Imergoot Invitational, hosted by Washington University in St. Louis. Under the direction of 11th year head coach Rick Gyllenborg, the UMSL Tritons returned three players from last year’s squad, which finished with a 9-7 overall record.

Among the returners is junior Louisa Werner, who earned All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honors for the second straight year last season. She ranked seventh in the final Intercollegiate Tennis Association Midwest Regional Rankings in singles play, where she posted a 20-4 record at the No. 1 spot. She was 19-6 in doubles action.

The other two returners are junior Danielle Henkel and sophomore Leanne Cantalupo. Henkel was 6-14 in singles, playing mostly at No. 2, while Cantalupo was 15-8, playing mostly at No. 3. The duo combined for a 10-5 record in doubles, including an 8-3 mark at No. 3.

Gyllenborg also welcomes the addition of four freshmen in Natalia Vaz de Carvalhais, Chandler Duchaine, Selena Smith and Renee Verbove.