Villanova, Pa.-Coming off one of their best seasons in program history, Villanova Women's Tennis Head Coach Steve Reiniger is confident that the experience of five seniors on the team will be an advantage entering spring competition.

"The senior class are great leaders," Reiniger said. "They do a great job at showing the younger women the ropes. This year, the experience is the difference."

This is the first time in Reiniger's 24 years of coaching at Villanova of having five seniors on the roster.

One of the five notable seniors is Emily Strande, who was named to the 2020-21 All-BIG EAST Team after earning a 5-2 singles record and 6-2 doubles record last season.

"She played in the number four position last year and this year, most likely she will be in the two or three spot," Reiniger said. "She's got to make the jump and she's definitely a strong enough player, has all the tools and a good tennis IQ."

Being catapulted to a higher position this year, Strande welcomes the challenge with a fighter's mentality.

"I'll be playing a couple of positions higher this season and the imperative is always to win," Strande said. "I'm going to fight just as hard this year and we've got new underclassmen on our team as well that are going to contribute in the position I was in last year. It will be fun to move to a higher position and a little challenging but I'm looking to win the same way. "

With an already impressive doubles performance last season, Strande always looks to find ways her doubles game can be improved. The senior has developed great chemistry with her doubles partner and roommate, Annalise Klopfer.

"Since I'm playing higher in the lineup in doubles, I try to focus on net play, taking opportunities away from my opponent and not give opponents any chance to have the offensive," Strande said. "Those are things that Annalise has been helpful with and by her setting up points for me, I'm able to close easier and finish off points."

Klopfer was named unanimously to the All-BIG EAST First Team after recording a 6-4 singles record and 9-1 doubles record last season. Seniors Olivia Kapp, Sabina Grigorian and Lindsay Zimmermann look to use their veteran experience during competition this season and play major roles as leaders for the team.

A rookie standout for the Wildcats is freshman Emma Brogan. During fall competition, the freshman from Kennesaw, Georgia went 5-1 in singles play.

"The biggest thing in my mind was her improvement at the net," Reiniger said. "Her mental approach was much more positive as the season went on and we talked about that a lot."

After reaching the BIG EAST Semi-finals in back-to-back seasons, the key to reaching the next level is an all-around strong team effort, according to Reiniger.

"All the healthy seniors need to play their best tennis which they're capable of," Reiniger said. "Some of the younger players really have to play their best and we just overall need to show great team depth."

The Wildcats kick off the spring slate with a road match against Bucknell on January 22.