Coming off a strong push late last season, the Wisconsin’s women’s tennis team looks to continue its momentum for the upcoming season.

It is something the two co-captains of the team, Jessica Seyferth and Katya Mirnova, have been focusing on early in practice so far this year.

“We need to start off strong,” Seyferth said. “We had a strong finish on the end of the year last year, but it came a little too late.”

They have their chance for a momentous start this weekend when the team travels to Milwaukee for the Milwaukee Tennis Classic to take on Alabama, Western Michigan and Marquette.

The Tennis Classic is not only a chance for the team to open on a strong note but also for head coach Brian Fleishman to showcase his new freshman talent. Freshmen Hannah Berner and Kathleen Saltarelli are both poised to play a viable role on this year’s team.

“You don’t want to put expectations on freshmen,” Fleishman said, “but I think they want to do well.” While the team does not have any official summer training camp as the football or basketball teams have, Fleishman still thinks the players have handled their own summer conditioning well.

“They stayed in good shape over the summer, and they came back in much better shape than in the past two years; I think overall the team’s fitness level is much better,” Fleishman said.

Expectations for the team are high and rightfully so.

With practice already having begun, the girls have a feel for the upcoming season and the dynamics of their teammates.

“I think team chemistry is a huge part of winning,” Seyferth said. “I think everyone — the new players, the two freshmen and the transfers — came in fitting in right away, (and) we’re all meshing together really well.”

The Badgers hope the strong bond they all share will help the team throughout the early part of the season and into Big Ten play. The level of competition in the Big Ten should be very strong again this year.

“I think Northwestern and Michigan are the teams to beat,” Fleishman added. “Northwestern has been the team to beat for a number of years, and everyone is trying to knock them off.”

Despite the challenges, Fleishman feels the team can compete. The two co-captains are not only natural leaders but also two of the best players on the team, teaming up to form a formidable doubles tandem. Last season, Seyferth and Mirnova finished with 10-12. The bright spot in their season, however, was a 5-2 record by Seyferth to finish the season, and a 7-3 singles record from Mirnova.

“It’s a big honor and I’m ready to take on the role,” Mirnova, a Madison native, said of being named captain. “I like the role, and I like to be in charge.”

Wisconsin hopes they can achieve not only a winning record this year, but also exceed expectations and finish in the top four of the Big Ten.

The Badgers begin their season this Friday at the Milwaukee Tennis Classic.