It’s a new year with new competition and more opportunities. The Women’s tennis team enters 2014 with nothing but steady focus and strong determination.

The team will travel to the the University of Indiana in Bloomington to compete in the Adidas Hoosier Tennis Invitational.

The Wildcats will spend three days competing against a few tough teams like the Golden Eagles of Marquette University, the Harvard University Crimson, the Ducks of the University of Oregon and the host school, the Indiana Hoosiers.

“I’m excited for what this weekend will bring,” freshman Erin Walker said.

This is the first time the Wildcats will be matched with such tough competitors.

All teams will play in two pool games. The first place team in a pool will advance to the Gold Tournament, second place to Silver, third place to Bronze and fourth place to Copper.

The attitudes surrounding the ‘Cats is nothing but confidence and anticipation.

“It’s the first tournament of the year. I expect us to play well,” assistant coach John Walker said. “The team stayed on top of their game over the break. It will be an adjustment, getting back into matches, but all the teams are in the same situation.”

The pressure is on, however. ACU will play against three nationally ranked teams. According to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, Oregon is ranked No. 71, Harvard not far away with No. 68 and claiming a position in the Top 50, Indiana at No. 41.

Along with a high ranking, the Hoosiers have three players who are a part of the esteemed Top 125 in singles.

“This weekend will be a great competition for us. We’re looking forward to the Div. I competition,” Walker said. “We’ll have a quality opponent on a weekly basis, something we didn’t have in Div. II. It will push us to bring the level of focus and concentration up for a match.”

Along with these heavy hitters this season, the Wildcats are expected to share the court with Northwestern State University, Sam Houston State University and Nicholls State University.

Without missing a beat, the team will travel to Cincinnati, Ohio Jan. 31 and will face off against the University of Cincinnati Bearcats. The Wildcats won’t have the home court advantage until early February when they host the ACU Ladies Indoor Invitational.

“I’m looking forward to getting back into competitions and what this conference and division will hold for us,” Sophomore Nada Marjanovic said.