Women's Tennis Preview
September 27, 2004 11:19 AM | General
September 27, 2004
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- As any coach will tell you, the prospect of entering a new program and winning right away is an arduous task. What makes the job even more daunting, though, is finding a way to win with a group of players who have been trained to play a style completely different than your own.
 |
||
| Raynie Theis is one of four returning letter-winners for the Mountaineers this year.
All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks photo |
When newly-hired head coach Dan Silverstein arrived in 2001, he was forced to instill his philosophies on a group of players who were recruited to fit a completely different style of play.
Now for the first time in Silverstein’s four-year stint at the university, every player on the 2004-05 roster is a product of one of his recruiting classes.
“We are ecstatic to have eight girls in the program who are molded to fit our style of play,” Silverstein says. “From this point forward, all eyes are on the future.”
Even though every Mountaineer has been trained under the tutelage of Silverstein and his staff, WVU is a young team that will have to mature quickly in order to compete in the rigorous BIG EAST.
West Virginia has no seniors and just one junior on this year’s squad. The rest of the spots will be filled by underclassmen with a total of three sophomores and four freshmen.
“Entering the year, many felt this would be a rebuilding season,” Silverstein explains. “After the first two weeks of practice though, both the team and coaching staff are feeling great about the upcoming season.”
WVU returns four letter-winners in junior Raynie Theis and sophomores Catherine Koontz, Ashley Constantine and Kelly Walsh.
Theis is the team’s vocal leader and with a freshman-laden squad on her hands, the leadership she demonstrates will prove to be of vital importance this season. Her strength lies in her athletic serve and talented volleying. The Bloomington, Minn., native focuses on keeping constant pressure on her opponent by coming into the net.
Koontz, like Theis, is entering her third year in the program. However, after a knee injury sidelined her for the 2004 spring season, she took a medical redshirt and hopes to make her second sophomore season one to remember. The Lexington, N.C., native relies on outplaying her opponents with consistency and endurance.
Constantine prefers to stay back and hit solid consistent ground strokes. The Binghamton, N.Y., native wears down and frustrates harder-hitting opponents by always finding a way to return the ball across the net.
Walsh is arguably the most improved returner on the Mountaineer tennis team heading into the fall season. The Chalfont, St. Giles, U.K, native returned to Morgantown with a much improved forehand and volley stroke. Her top-notch physical condition has propelled her to play smarter tennis by building points before going for a winner.
With 50 percent of West Virginia’s team being constructed of freshmen, Silverstein knows this season’s recruiting class will be required to contribute immediately.
“In order for us to be successful, those girls are going to have to step up immediately,” he says. “On the other hand, we wouldn’t ask that of them if we didn’t think they could do it. They are a talented bunch of girls who will add a lot of depth to our roster.”
Silverstein certainly logged his fair share of air miles in putting together this season’s recruiting class. From the familiar domestic locations of Illinois and South Carolina to the international territories of Canada and Poland, Silverstein panned the world to find the best athletes for his system.
Monica Lyskawa, a native of Brampton, Ontario, Canada, possesses an intimidating serve and one-handed backhand and is expected to play high in the lineup.
Stacey Percival, an Aiken, S.C., native, is fundamentally sound on both sides of the net with a solid serve and return to go along with a powerful groundstroke.
Kate Williams, a native of Western Springs, Ill., combats her opponents with a great all-around game that should prove to be effective at the collegiate level.
Natalia Prinz, a Tczew, Poland, native, possesses a very overpowering groundstroke and a solid all-around game that will put her in prime position to play high in the lineup.
Another new wrinkle to the Mountaineer tennis team this season is the introduction of two new assistant coaches. Bryan Stonestreet and Jennifer Watkins will assist Silverstein and bring a youthful flavor to the coaching staff in the process.
Stonestreet comes to West Virginia from Davidson College in Davidson, N.C., where he graduated in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. While at Davidson, he competed as the No. 3 seed on the tennis team, compiling an overall singles record of 41-26 and a doubles record of 33-19. The Bluefield, W.Va., native served as team captain in his final two years and was voted team MVP following his senior season.
Watkins, a four-year letter-winner for the Mountaineers from 2001-2004, joins the staff after graduating from WVU in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. The Huntington, W.Va., native finished her career with an overall singles record of 54-43 and a doubles mark of 51-34. A one-time walk-on, Watkins was a recipient of the coach’s award (2004), most improved athlete award (2001, 2002, 2003) and most outstanding athlete award (2002, 2004) during her tenure at WVU.
“Having two assistants with the collegiate tennis experience that those two possess is a huge plus for our team,” Silverstein says. “They understand the game and relate real well to our players. Their energy and enthusiasm will be a tremendous asset to our program.”
The 2004-05 season also marks the first time in Silverstein’s tenure that the Mountaineers have had eight scholarship players.
“Every season we always seem to have someone injured going into the season,” Silverstein says. “This year we finally have everyone healthy and on the same page.”
The primary reason the Mountaineers are entering the season healthy is because of their commitment to in-season training. The main emphasis the first two weeks of practice has been on conditioning.
When the team opened their practice schedule, the strength and conditioning staff at WVU put them through a wide variety of workouts to not only improve their playmaking ability but to also assist them in injury prevention.
“Five days a week the girls have been doing morning runs at 6:30 a.m. and have also practiced for two and a half hours in the afternoon,” Silverstein says. “Three days a week they are also weight training to maximize their strength for the long season.”
Being in better condition than your opponent is very important to an individual’s success. Not only does it give you an edge physically, but many argue that the confidence of being physically superior also gives you the psychological edge.
“A lot of times, knowing that you are more physically fit than your opponent provides you with the mental edge you need to pull out a win in a tight three set match,” says Stonestreet.
According to Silverstein, the three characteristics of all great teams are team cohesiveness, having a positive attitude and possessing a strong work ethic. Over the off-season and through the first few weeks of practice, the 2004-05 women’s tennis team has demonstrated each of these characteristics.
“Hopefully the positive start of the fall season will continue into the Maryland Invitational and on into the spring,” Silverstein explains.
As the Mountaineers enter the Maryland Invitational, their first match of the season, Silverstein has the confidence that each one of his players are capable of stepping onto the court and contributing, a feeling he has yet to experience as a mentor in Morgantown.
“We finally have eight solid girls who all have the ability to compete and win if put in the starting lineup.”
If Silverstein’s prognostications hold true, the 2004-05 season will forever be known for the rebirth of the team concept in the Mountaineer tennis program; a renaissance that is sure to breed future success for every tennis team that graces the flying WV on their uniform.
