The last time the Kansas Jayhawks took the court, they walked off with a first-round loss to the Missouri Tigers at the Big 12 Championship tournament.

This year, the bar sits a little higher.

Led by seventh-year coach Amy Hall-Holt and assistant coach German Dalmagro, the KU women’s tennis team hopes to unite a set of youthful yet experienced players.

“We’re definitely going to be young, but we always hope that we’re strong enough and ready to compete at the high level,” Hall-Holt said. “We’re excited, and we look forward to being a really solid team this year, from top to bottom.”

Although this year’s squad boasts only one senior, Kunigunda Dorn, the Jayhawks are returning four of the six starters from last spring. Sitting near the top of the lineup will be sophomore Ekaterina Morozova, who played both the No. 1 and 2 singles positions throughout last season. Morozova teamed up with recent graduate Edina Horvath to hold the No. 1 doubles spot last year.

Dorn, who partnered up with last season’s only other senior, Yuliana Svistun, will be another key competitor. Dorn hopes to make the most of her last year in a Jayhawk uniform. After compiling a 5-17 singles record during the 2009 spring campaign, she will be fighting to finish her college career on a high note.

“Kunigunda has been working really hard on her strength and conditioning,” Hall-Holt said. “She’s just happy to be here, and she’s ready to play.”

The final two returning starters from last season are junior Maria Martinez and sophomore Erin Wilbert. They played the No. 5 and 6 singles positions and paired up as the No. 2 doubles team. Together the duo held a 7-13 record while also finishing the spring season with winning singles records. Svistun was the only other team member to do so.

Filling out this year’s lineup are junior Kate Goff, sophomore Alessandra Dzuba and freshmen Victoria Khanevskaya and Sara Lazarevic. Hall-Holt said if all goes well, the team may also add one more freshman to the roster in January.

During the spring tennis season, matches are played head-to-head in a dual style with the focus on direct team wins. The fall stint is much shorter and centers more on individual performance.

The Jayhawks are competing in five events this fall. After opening at UNC-Wilmington Sept. 11 to 13, the team will host two tournaments and play in Los Angeles before concluding with the ITA Regional Tournament at the University of Oklahoma.

Top finishers of the Regional will advance to the ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships in November.

The home tournaments will take place Sept. 25 to 27 and Oct. 23 to 25 at First Serve in Lawrence.

“The facilities are becoming much more fan-friendly,” Hall-Hott said. “It’s really not the quiet game with a few claps that people may think it is. It’s really very aggressive and can be quite loud.”

Favorable reviews of the Jayhawks’ home facility aren’t only coming from the team.

“We have gallery seating, so there is a good viewing area,” said Pat Lomshek, teaching pro and programs coordinator for First Serve. “It’s a great way to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.”

— Edited by Samantha Foster