Tennis: WVU Opens 2010 Season at Home
January 22, 2010 11:33 AM | General
By Tiffany Doolittle for MSNsportsNET.com
January 22, 2010
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University tennis team begins its spring season with a home-opener against Youngstown State at the Ridgeview Racquet Club on Jan. 23, at 3 p.m.
"YSU has a solid group that we saw in the fall at the Martha Thorn Invitational,” says coach Marc Walters. “We know that we are pretty even with them at this point and it will be a good match-up.”
The doubles competition will consist of senior Stephanie LaFortune and redshirt junior Monique Burton in the No. 1 spot, followed by the No. 2 pair of senior Gabriela Blaskovicova and junior Ashley Pilsbury, and sophomore Veronica Cardenas and freshman Emily Mathis in the No. 3 spot.
“If we get our usual solid doubles play, it will take us a long way in the singles,” adds Walters.
The top three singles positions will be played by Lafortune, Burton and Cardenas, while Mathis, Pilsbury and sophomore Kathryn Haught will also compete in the line-up.
“I am pleased with everyone at this point, but I think Stephanie, Veronica and Ashley should play very well after a great week of challenges under their belts,” says Walters.
The Mountaineers return eight athletes this season, three of whom are seniors, while adding two newcomers to bring depth and strength to the squad.
“It benefits us being at home and having senior leadership,” concludes Walters. “We missed that last year and it should help the other players get settled in just a bit faster.”
The Ridgeview Racquet Club is located on Bakers Ridge Rd., across from the new University High School.
