SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- After being named No. 1 in the NSIC Preseason Women's Tennis Coaches' Poll, the Augustana women's tennis team is set to continue their reign as they start their 2019 season in Nebraska. Augustana will take on Rockhurst (IL) at 10 a.m. on Saturday and follow-up with Nebraska-Kearney on Sunday at 9 a.m.

Senior Kornelia Staniszewska was also named NSIC Preseason Player of the Year on Thursday. A year ago, Staniszewska went 18-0 in No. 1 singles and 23-3 in No. 1 doubles and ended the season ranked 14th nationally. In three years at Augustana, Staniszewska has been named the league's player of the year each season. An eight-time player of the week recipient, the Opalenie, Poland native is also a three-time ITA All-America selection.

Last week, the Vikings had a pair of exhibition matches against Iowa State and Drake. The Vikings would go 0-2 with scores of 4-0 against Iowa State and 4-1 against Drake.

Earlier this year in the fall of 2018, the Augustana women's tennis team showed how strong they are, dominating the Augustana Invite and winning every match they played in. At the ITA Central Regionals in September, Staniszewska had a first-round bye and was able to pick up a second-round win (6-2, 6-2) but ultimately she fell in the round of 16 to Kiara Vickov of Southwest Baptist (6-2, 5-7, 1-0). In flight 'B' doubles, sophomore Grace Goble and junior Anca Rusu claimed the flight title with an 8-1 win.

Augustana head coach Marc Kurtz, who is in his 15th season at the helm of the Viking ship, has compiled a 202-43 (.834) overall record and has gone undefeated in each of the past nine NSIC regular seasons.

The Vikings once again return a strong lineup, including one of the most decorated athletes in Northern Sun Conference Tennis history. In three years at Augustana, Staniszewska has been named the league's player of the year each season. An eight-time player of the week recipient, the Opalenie, Poland native is also a three-time ITA All-America selection.

A year ago, Staniszewska went 18-0 in No. 1 singles and 23-3 in No. 1 doubles and ended the season ranked 14th nationally.

The Vikings also return a strong supporting cast, starting with Junior Taylor Jackson and Annika Teske. A native of Minneapolis, Minn., Jackson is a two-time All-NSIC selection and finished last season with a 17-3 record. Teske was an impressive 17-4 last year as she earned NSIC Honorable Mention honors.

Goble, a Rapid City, S.D. native, earned second team all-conference in singles last season and will look to build on a successful 17-3 singles campaign last season.

Fans first chance to catch Augustana at home will be Sat. March 2 when they welcome in Minnesota-Duluth to the Huether Tennis Center in Sioux Falls.

Be sure to follow Augustana women's tennis all season long on Twitter (@AugieWTennis).