DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's tennis team kicks off its season under first-year head coach Mai-Ly Tran on Sunday at 10 a.m. as the Bulldogs host SIUE at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center.
 
The Bulldogs return five student-athletes, including three juniors and two sophomores.
 
Drake will be led by juniors Summer Brills, Tess Herder and Mela Jaglarz. Herder recorded 16 singles wins, while Brills and Jaglarz tallied 13 and seven wins, respectively, last year.
 
Sophomore Joely Lomas will look to continue to lead the team's doubles lineup as she posted a 16-6 record and went 12-8 in singles as a rookie. Sophomore Kenya Williams missed the 2016 spring season due to injury but had a strong fall season as she won the Flight 4 singles title and the Flight 2 doubles title with Herder at the MVC Individual Championships and will look to be a major contributor this season.
 
The Bulldogs welcomes freshman Alex Kozlowski, who just joined the team this month.
 
Following Sunday's match, Drake will have nearly two weeks to prepare for matches against South Dakota and Augustana (S.D.) on Feb. 4 and Feb. 5, respectively.