Feb. 16, 2010

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The 22nd-ranked Gamecock women’s tennis team returns to the courts after more than two weeks off when they host the Winthrop Eagles on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the USC Field House.

South Carolina (1-2) heads into the match coming off a pair of 4-3 defeats in Fayetteville, Ark., at the ITA Kick-Off Weekend. The Gamecocks lost to No. 16 Michigan in the first round and then No. 21 Washington in a consolation match. Both contests came down to the last match on court in a third set.

The Eagles (3-1) are enjoying a strong start to their spring having won three in a row after losing to No. 11 North Carolina in their season opener. College of Charleston, Furman and Old Dominion were all ranked in the top 75 when Winthrop defeated them, moving the Eagles into a current national position of 70th.

The Gamecocks feature two ranked players in their singles lineup with No. 38 Ana Marija Zubori and No. 69 Anya Morgina. Zubori is looking to rebound from her two three-set defeats in Fayetteville, while Morgina hopes to extend her 3-0 start in singles this spring at the No. 3 position.

Wednesday will mark the seventh all-time meeting between South Carolina and Winthrop. The Gamecocks have won all six of the previous match-ups.

Following Winthrop, the Gamecocks will welcome in-state rival and 14th-ranked Clemson to Columbia for a 1 p.m. showdown Sunday. The match will be played outdoors, weather permitting.