BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The LIU Brooklyn women's tennis program, led by new head coach Anthony Davison, begins the 2017 dual match schedule this weekend, along with welcoming two roster additions to the program.
Davison joined the Blackbird family in September, after a season spend as a volunteer assistant coach at Columbia University, and four years as an independent coach and tennis professional. A four-year player and team captain at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Davison worked with the Lions during one of the most successful seasons in the program's history. Columbia finished the year ranked as high as No.32 in the nation, with an ECAC Championship title and an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Derby, England native has also coached at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, UCLA Tennis camp, and the Club of Riverdale.
"I am honored and humbled to become part of the LIU family," Davison said. "I want to thank Margaret Alaimo and Brad Cohen for the chance to take the women's tennis program to the next level and add to the history of this athletic department. This is a great opportunity at a wonderful institution which is constantly getting better. It is my goal that our tennis program enhances the student-athlete experience and fosters an environment for champions in the classroom, on the court, and in life."
Davison, along with announcing the 2017 spring schedule, is also announcing two roster additions. Sasha Bollweg joins the Blackbirds from Melbourne, Australia, while Ana Leonte comes to downtown Brooklyn from Basel, Switzerland.
"I am very excited about the 2017 season," Davison said. "We prepared well in the fall and brought in two great mid-year recruits, Sasha and Ana, who should help us tremendously. I am hopeful they can adapt to life at LIU quickly as the beginning of the season is almost upon us."
The Blackbirds had an early tune-up at the NJIT Invitational in January, and begin their dual match season this Sunday, January 29. LIU will travel to take on Saint Peter's University in Jersey City, in the first match with Davison at the helm.
LIU will also take on local rivals St. John's, Hofstra, Fordham, Seton Hallvand Columbia this season. The University of Akron, Oral Roberts and Bucknell round out non-conference play for the Blackbirds.
Northeast Conference action begins early for LIU, as they take on borough rival St. Francis Brooklyn, Sunday, February 5 at 4 p.m. It's more than a month before LIU will take on another NEC, traveling to face off against Fairleigh Dickinson, Sunday, March 19 at 12:30 p.m. In early April, the Blackbirds will play three straight league matches, at Bryant (April 1), hosting Sacred Heart (April 7), and at Wagner (April 10).
LIU rounds out the regular season with a non-conference dual match at Stony Brook, before heading to the Northeast Conference tournament, which will take place April 21-23 in West Winsor, N.J.