Coming in on Top
April 01, 2011 02:03 PM | General
MORGANTOWN, W. Va. - The West Virginia tennis program has gone through some changes throughout the 2010-11 year, and all are for the better.
While the team and many of its members have struggled through the change and uncertainty, freshman Mary Chupa came into the season prepared and with an open mind.
The Bradenton, Fla. native was shown interest in last year, by former WVU head coach Marc Walters.
“I visited the school and I liked everything about it,” Chupa admitted. “The second I came, I liked the campus, the atmosphere and the girls on the team.”
Chupa joined the Mountaineer family in the fall and realized that things were going to be different than in previous years at WVU, with a new set of coaches and a much tougher schedule.
“Everything was up in the air when I first got here, but we were all going through the same thing,” she added. “Everyone was really supportive and the upperclassman did a good job of showing us around and helping us understand what it was like last year, compared to what it would be like this year.”
Head coach Tina Samara and assistant coach Brian Sullivan also joined the Mountaineers in the fall, and started the season with a new mentality and a new set of skills that the team would have to adjust to throughout the season.
“They have higher expectations and constantly push all of us to get better,” Chupa explained. “They work on being aggressive, coming into the net, our transition game and ending the point at the net. All of these things were new to me, but it has definitely improved my game since I’ve been here.”
Her coaching and technique weren’t the only changes Chupa encountered, but she was still adjusting to the transition from junior tennis to college tennis.
“College tennis is more team oriented than in junior tennis,” Chupa clarified. “Junior tennis is based on individual progress, while here, it’s all about your team progress. It’s a lot more fun that way.”
The right-handed hitter has showed her team dedication and improvement with the only winning record on the team. She currently holds a singles record of 10-7 in the No. 3 spot, including wins over BIG EAST opponents from Pitt, Providence and Seton Hall.
She also captured the lone win of the day in WVU’s 1-6 loss to James Madison in only her fourth match of the season.
“It helps to have my team behind me, always cheering me on,” she smiled. “You don’t really have a team cheering for you in junior tennis, so it’s nice to have your teammates always rooting for you when you come to college and you’re away from your parents and friends.”
Chupa also holds a winning record in doubles with her current partner, sophomore Emily Mathis. The duo wasn’t paired-up until halfway through the season, but have already managed to have a successful showing with a winning record of 6-2.
“I think our current doubles lineup works well,” Chupa approved. “Emily is really intense on the court and her intensity helps me stay motivated for every match.”
The pair began to stand out in their second match playing together, when they captured the only doubles win in WVU’s 1-6 loss to BIG EAST foe Cincinnati in a 9-7 match against Lindsay Lonergan and Caitlin O’Gara.
Despite Chupa’s success on the court, the team as a whole was struggling to gain that same balance and consistency. The Mountaineers currently hold a record of 7-10, while going 3-3 in the BIG EAST.
“Ever since Tina and Brian got here, they have been changing everyone’s game,” Chupa continued. “They keep reminding us that we may not be playing great now, but the goal is to play the best we’ve played all year by the end of the season.”
With only three matches to go before the start of the BIG EAST Championships on April 28, the girls are feeling the pressure of stepping up their game to what they’ve been working toward all season.
“I hope we can finish the season with a winning record in the BIG EAST,” Chupa said ambitiously. “I hope myself, and my team, shows our best by then, and it’s coming up really fast.”
To fulfill that wish, the team would need to capture some tough wins against its next three opponents, including BIG EAST foes Rutgers (April 3), Connecticut (April 9) and Marquette (April 10).
The Mountaineers will be heading back to South Bend, Ind., for the 2011 BIG EAST Championships in no time and Chupa hopes her team will have the same success in the tournament that she has experienced all season.
While the team and many of its members have struggled through the change and uncertainty, freshman Mary Chupa came into the season prepared and with an open mind.
The Bradenton, Fla. native was shown interest in last year, by former WVU head coach Marc Walters.
“I visited the school and I liked everything about it,” Chupa admitted. “The second I came, I liked the campus, the atmosphere and the girls on the team.”
Chupa joined the Mountaineer family in the fall and realized that things were going to be different than in previous years at WVU, with a new set of coaches and a much tougher schedule.
“Everything was up in the air when I first got here, but we were all going through the same thing,” she added. “Everyone was really supportive and the upperclassman did a good job of showing us around and helping us understand what it was like last year, compared to what it would be like this year.”
Head coach Tina Samara and assistant coach Brian Sullivan also joined the Mountaineers in the fall, and started the season with a new mentality and a new set of skills that the team would have to adjust to throughout the season.
“They have higher expectations and constantly push all of us to get better,” Chupa explained. “They work on being aggressive, coming into the net, our transition game and ending the point at the net. All of these things were new to me, but it has definitely improved my game since I’ve been here.”
Her coaching and technique weren’t the only changes Chupa encountered, but she was still adjusting to the transition from junior tennis to college tennis.
“College tennis is more team oriented than in junior tennis,” Chupa clarified. “Junior tennis is based on individual progress, while here, it’s all about your team progress. It’s a lot more fun that way.”
The right-handed hitter has showed her team dedication and improvement with the only winning record on the team. She currently holds a singles record of 10-7 in the No. 3 spot, including wins over BIG EAST opponents from Pitt, Providence and Seton Hall.
She also captured the lone win of the day in WVU’s 1-6 loss to James Madison in only her fourth match of the season.
“It helps to have my team behind me, always cheering me on,” she smiled. “You don’t really have a team cheering for you in junior tennis, so it’s nice to have your teammates always rooting for you when you come to college and you’re away from your parents and friends.”
Chupa also holds a winning record in doubles with her current partner, sophomore Emily Mathis. The duo wasn’t paired-up until halfway through the season, but have already managed to have a successful showing with a winning record of 6-2.
“I think our current doubles lineup works well,” Chupa approved. “Emily is really intense on the court and her intensity helps me stay motivated for every match.”
The pair began to stand out in their second match playing together, when they captured the only doubles win in WVU’s 1-6 loss to BIG EAST foe Cincinnati in a 9-7 match against Lindsay Lonergan and Caitlin O’Gara.
Despite Chupa’s success on the court, the team as a whole was struggling to gain that same balance and consistency. The Mountaineers currently hold a record of 7-10, while going 3-3 in the BIG EAST.
“Ever since Tina and Brian got here, they have been changing everyone’s game,” Chupa continued. “They keep reminding us that we may not be playing great now, but the goal is to play the best we’ve played all year by the end of the season.”
With only three matches to go before the start of the BIG EAST Championships on April 28, the girls are feeling the pressure of stepping up their game to what they’ve been working toward all season.
“I hope we can finish the season with a winning record in the BIG EAST,” Chupa said ambitiously. “I hope myself, and my team, shows our best by then, and it’s coming up really fast.”
To fulfill that wish, the team would need to capture some tough wins against its next three opponents, including BIG EAST foes Rutgers (April 3), Connecticut (April 9) and Marquette (April 10).
The Mountaineers will be heading back to South Bend, Ind., for the 2011 BIG EAST Championships in no time and Chupa hopes her team will have the same success in the tournament that she has experienced all season.
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