BIG EAST Tennis Preview
April 18, 2007 09:28 AM | General
April 18, 2007
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- Following a tough 22-match regular season that saw the Mountaineers welcome both a new head coach and five freshmen, West Virginia University’s tennis team has earned the fifth seed in the BIG EAST Tournament and is prepared to face 12th seeded Rutgers at noon on Thursday, April 19, at the USF Varsity Tennis Courts in Tampa, Fla.
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| Monica Lyskawa has a 17-4 record at No. singles this year.
All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks |
The Mountaineers (12-10, 6-1) met the Scarlet Knights only four days ago, smothering the squad from Piscataway, N.J., in a 6-1 victory.
First year coach Marc Walters says his team could not have asked for a better draw.
“We’re very excited to play Rutgers again because they’re still fresh in our minds,” he explained. “With last Saturday’s win, we are confident in playing them, but we also know that we have to be on top of our game. Rutgers’ lineup was hit with some illness last weekend, so our girls know that they will see a slightly different team this time around.”
The Mountaineers enter the tournament two places higher than last year’s team. As the fifth seed, WVU knows that it is one complete match away from making a repeat appearance in the tournament’s second round -- a first for the squad in over six years.
“The girls won every match they had to win this season to earn that No. 5 seed,” says Walters. “Our reward is that we now get to play the team we wanted to face in the first round. Additionally, we have fourth-seeded Marquette waiting with a bye in the second round. We have wanted to play the Golden Eagles all season, so hopefully we get to that match.”
WVU has not won a second round match since the 1997-98 season when the Mountaineers defeated Seton Hall, 4-2. Leading the squad into this year’s tournament is junior Monica Lyskawa. The Brampton, Ontario, native recorded a 17-4 record in the No. 3 singles slot this season -- the most consistent player in the lineup. Coupled with her 13-9 record at the No. 2 doubles spot with senior Kelly Walsh, Lyskawa has earned her first 30-win season of her career -- the 25th best 30-win season in WVU history.
Walsh has also had a milestone season, recording her second career 20-win season with a combined record of 20-19. The co-captain from Chalfont, St. Giles, U.K., has hit her stride late this season, winning four of her last seven matches. Walsh went undefeated in last year’s tournament (2-0) and was also named its MVP.
Also look for freshman Alexandra Kaluza to contribute significantly to the Mountaineers’ success this weekend. The Beaver, Pa., native entered the bottom of the lineup after the season’s first seven matches and has since compiled a 13-2 singles record.
WVU’s doubles game has gotten a lift during the latter half of the season, winning the team point in five of its last six matches. Juniors Natalia Prinz and Stacey Percival have been a steady duo for the squad and hold a 10-12 record at the No. 1 spot.
Notre Dame, the No. 2-ranked team in the nation, enters the BIG EAST Tournament as the No. 1 seed. USF, which defeated WVU, 7-0, on March 3, has secured the No. 2 seed, with Louisville taking the No. 3 spot.
Overall, Walters feels that his team is in a prime position to play deep into this year’s tournament.
“Our team is as healthy as they’ve been all year,” he says. “Ending the season on a 2-0 run in the BIG EAST has boosted our confidence, preparing us for a great tournament run. If we can bring all of the components together, I know we can play with anyone.”
The winner of the BIG EAST Tournament earns the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championships.
