Women's Tennis Preview
January 15, 2010 05:20 PM | General
January 15, 2010
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The West Virginia University tennis team rolls into the 2010 spring season with eight returnees and two newcomers, who will add strength and diversity to the squad. Although the team is not deep in experience, it plans to use its athleticism and talent to be a tough competitor for each opponent on its way to the BIG EAST Championship.
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| Monique Burton and Stephanie LaFortune are expected to pair up at No. 1 doubles this spring for the Mountaineers.
All-Pro Photography Dale Sparks photo |
Coach Marc Walters returns for his fourth season, one in which he will continue to push the team to improve its performance on the court and in the classroom. His dedication not only won recognition by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) as a 2009 All-Academic Team, but he has given the Mountaineers the chance to compete in their fourth-straight BIG EAST Championship.
"We have a demanding schedule again this season that will test our talent and depth, while allowing us a chance to build on our youth,” says Walters. “I will put just as much effort in each player to make us a stronger, more consistent team.”
Despite the team’s lack of experience, senior Stephanie LaFortune and redshirt junior Monique Burton will go into their third year in the starting lineup. After proving to be a solid pair in the doubles competition in the past, the duo is expected to lead the Mountaineers in the No. 1 spot.
“Monique and Steph are successful on the court and in the classroom, and they take everything they have been shown in practice and matches and apply it to their games to continue to grow as players," says Walters. “We couldn't have asked for two better girls to lead the team into this season. This team will succeed largely on their shoulders.”
LaFortune, a Longueuil, Quebec, native, ended the 2009 season in the No.1 spot after winning four of her last seven decisions and was honored as an ITA All-Academic Team selection for the past two years. The left-handed hitter continued to prove herself at last year’s conference championship, where she landed two big wins against all-BIG EAST players.
“Steph showed how ready she was to step up a level in clutch situations,” adds Walters. “She balances a demanding class schedule with her training, and I expect that she'll finish her career here at West Virginia strong."
From a walk-on athlete to a No. 1 spot player, Burton never ceases to impress her coaches and teammates, as she continues to improve with every match.
“If she has the same intensity on the court that she had in the fall and summer, she'll have a big year,” says Walters. “I expect her to use her improved fitness, the baseline consistency she has developed and her experience to be a steady player for us at the top of our line-up."
Because of her desire to excel and dedication to her team, Burton has been named a captain for the 2009-10 season along with sophomore Veronica Cardenas, who is expected to be a top singles player.
“Veronica always has had the ability to grind out points and play error-free tennis, but her newfound aggressiveness makes her a dual threat,” adds Walters.
Returning to play for the spring season is senior Olga Elkin, who was unable to play in the fall due to a knee injury. As a top competitor for the Mountaineers last year after transferring from Wichita State, Elkin hopes to come back strong this season, which will put her back in the running for a starting spot.
Junior Ashley Pilsbury and sophomore Katie Haught stand out for their consistent work ethic and drive for improvement. These athletes, along with senior Gabriela Blaskovicova, are working to step up their games and play to their fullest potential in the spring.
“We will lean on the bottom half of the lineup to come through for us and be more clutch this year,” says Walters. “If they can give us what they gave us in the fall, we will be playing and winning those 4-3 decisions that slipped through our hands last year."
Freshmen Emily Mathis and Liv Pettersson were added to the roster this year and should prove to be top athletes for the Mountaineers. Mathis’ skill, drive and decision-making is at the level of most experienced upperclassmen.
"We all have been really impressed by Emily’s competitive drive, and her ability to mix up pace and styles to compete with anyone she's seen,” says Walters. “If she can build up her serve and add some pop to her returns, she'll be as good as anyone we've had in the top of the lineup the past four years."
Standing at almost six feet tall, Pettersson is the fastest player on the squad and is considered to be one of the best athletes.
“She has shown some great instincts in doubles, but is trying to get her consistency in check to have success in singles,” Walters adds. “Once she relaxes there, she'll make a nice contribution for us all-around.”
The fall season not only showed the athletic and academic potential of each student-athlete, but it prepared the team for a tough spring schedule against top teams from the BIG EAST and throughout the region. The Mountaineers begin their season on Jan. 23, as they play host to Youngstown State and will wrap up their home slate with a match against non-conference rival Duquesne on April 13.
“Matches with teams like Youngstown, Morehead State, Duquesne and Eastern Kentucky will challenge us to show we can close out the even matchups that eluded us last year,” says Walters.
The home stretch will continue at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., where the Mountaineers will go up against Liberty on Jan. 29 and James Madison on Jan. 31.
The team will continue to challenge its talent with a non-conference schedule of several top 75 teams including Marshall and Miami (Ohio), who they will meet in Huntington, W.Va., on Feb. 5-6, along with a trip to Columbia, Mo., March 20-21, to compete against Missouri and Houston.
On March 14, WVU will return home for a non-conference match against California University (Pa.), followed by Coastal Carolina on March 16.
“Playing these teams gives us additional challenges, but it also gives us plenty of chances climb up the rankings,” adds Walters.
The BIG EAST portion of the schedule has two stretches throughout the spring. The indoor portion will be played out in February against Pitt (Feb. 10) and Georgetown (Feb. 19) on the Mountaineers' home courts, then WVU hits the road to face Connecticut (Feb. 26) and Cincinnati (Feb. 28).
WVU will face a more challenging outdoor segment in April at top 50 teams DePaul (April 4), Seton Hall (April 10), Villanova (April 16) and Rutgers (April 17).
“We have to establish ourselves in these matches to have a chance to play in the conference tourney, but also to show what we have been working on as a team over the past two years,” says Walters.
With the necessary conference wins Walters is striving for, the Mountaineers will finish their spring season April 21-25 at their fourth-straight BIG EAST Championship hosted by Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.
“We should have enough balance in our lineup to have a great shot at 15 wins with this schedule,” concludes Walters, "but a 10-12 win season will still be an improvement and keep us growing in the right direction.”
