A New Beginning
April 27, 2011 04:37 PM | General
MORGANTOWN, W. Va. - Every team needs individual focus, team determination and unity between the athletes and coaches to have a successful season. The West Virginia tennis team has been developing these necessary components throughout the season, and is at its peak heading into the 2011 BIG EAST Championships.
With three freshmen, two sophomores, two juniors, and only one senior, the veterans on the team were pushed to step up and take leadership roles going into the season.
Junior Veronica Cardenas is a prime example of what a team leader looks like, and she has taken on the task of bettering herself in order to push the newcomers to improve.
“I had a lot of wins in my first two seasons at West Virginia, but I realized that that’s not what matters,” says the Powder Springs, Ga., native. “It’s not really about the winning right now, but about improving my game overall. I’ve become more responsible and positive this season, which has made it easier for me to help with the younger girls coming in.”
Freshmen Mary Chupa, Melis Tanik and Anna Rodionova joined the Mountaineers in the fall, shortly before the introduction of new head coach Tina Samara, and her assistant Brian Sullivan.
A better work-ethic, a positive mentality and a tougher schedule were pushed onto the team, which made even the veterans feels overwhelmed at times.
“I made a lot of my own mistakes this year,” Cardenas admitted. “I realized that I had to make changes to get better, and I made those changes. I started working myself harder, which gave me the confidence to start pushing the younger girls to do what they needed to do.”
The right-handed hitter has been a standout since her freshman year, when she led the team in overall wins (30). She then led the team in singles wins her sophomore year with a 15-8 record.
Cardenas has struggled to capture the same number of wins this season, but has still managed to land third in singles, doubles and overall wins on the team, behind Chupa and sophomore Emily Mathis.
“This season has been a little rough for me, especially while I was trying to adapt to the changes,” Cardenas said. “I know I can play higher up and I’m always looking to improve, so this is my chance to make the best of where I’m at now. I feel really good going into the tournament, because I’ve been playing better now than I have the entire semester.”
The team holds an overall record of 8-12, while going 4-5 in conference action. Despite the team's losing record, the coaches have provided constant feedback, reminding them of the significant individual improvements that have been made since the beginning of the season.
“Tina and Brian know we have potential and they see that we can do really well when we try,” Cardenas explained. “Knowing that they believe in us and always being told we can win keeps us positive and has helped us to come together as a team this season.”
The Mountaineers are headed to South Bend, Ind., where they will go into the 2011 BIG EAST Championships as the No. 11 seed. WVU will face No. 6 seeded Rutgers at noon, Thursday, in the first round of the tournament.
“I’m happy we’re playing Rutgers,” Cardenas said with confidence. “We’ve never beat them before, but it’s possible, so winning is definitely a goal we can accomplish going into the tournament.”
The Scarlet Knights defeated the Mountaineers earlier this month, in a 6-1 match at the Ridgeview Racquet Club in Morgantown, W.Va.
Cardenas and her doubles partner, sophomore Liv Pettersson, captured the Mountaineers’ only doubles victory in an 8-7(5) match in the No. 2 spot. Cardenas put up a fight in the No. 4 singles spot, but was defeated in a third-set tiebreaker in the final match points.
“Rutgers is a team that we have a great shot at beating,” Cardenas added. “When we played them, I won my doubles match and I went to the third set with my opponent before losing in singles. Several of my teammates had really close matches as well, so winning in the first round is possible if we all go into the match believing that.”
With a great attitude, newfound confidence and the preparation to back it up, Cardenas and her team will go into the tournament with a good chance of coming out on top. In possibly the last match of her junior year, Cardenas plans to bring everything she’s learned to the court and leave knowing she tried her best.
“I’ve made so many changes, I’ve worked hard and I really want get some wins,” she concluded. “I’m gong to put it all out there, tomorrow, and hopefully something great will happen for me and my team. Whether other people believe in us or not, we know we can do it and that’s all that matters.”
With three freshmen, two sophomores, two juniors, and only one senior, the veterans on the team were pushed to step up and take leadership roles going into the season.
Junior Veronica Cardenas is a prime example of what a team leader looks like, and she has taken on the task of bettering herself in order to push the newcomers to improve.
“I had a lot of wins in my first two seasons at West Virginia, but I realized that that’s not what matters,” says the Powder Springs, Ga., native. “It’s not really about the winning right now, but about improving my game overall. I’ve become more responsible and positive this season, which has made it easier for me to help with the younger girls coming in.”
Freshmen Mary Chupa, Melis Tanik and Anna Rodionova joined the Mountaineers in the fall, shortly before the introduction of new head coach Tina Samara, and her assistant Brian Sullivan.
A better work-ethic, a positive mentality and a tougher schedule were pushed onto the team, which made even the veterans feels overwhelmed at times.
“I made a lot of my own mistakes this year,” Cardenas admitted. “I realized that I had to make changes to get better, and I made those changes. I started working myself harder, which gave me the confidence to start pushing the younger girls to do what they needed to do.”
The right-handed hitter has been a standout since her freshman year, when she led the team in overall wins (30). She then led the team in singles wins her sophomore year with a 15-8 record.
Cardenas has struggled to capture the same number of wins this season, but has still managed to land third in singles, doubles and overall wins on the team, behind Chupa and sophomore Emily Mathis.
“This season has been a little rough for me, especially while I was trying to adapt to the changes,” Cardenas said. “I know I can play higher up and I’m always looking to improve, so this is my chance to make the best of where I’m at now. I feel really good going into the tournament, because I’ve been playing better now than I have the entire semester.”
The team holds an overall record of 8-12, while going 4-5 in conference action. Despite the team's losing record, the coaches have provided constant feedback, reminding them of the significant individual improvements that have been made since the beginning of the season.
“Tina and Brian know we have potential and they see that we can do really well when we try,” Cardenas explained. “Knowing that they believe in us and always being told we can win keeps us positive and has helped us to come together as a team this season.”
The Mountaineers are headed to South Bend, Ind., where they will go into the 2011 BIG EAST Championships as the No. 11 seed. WVU will face No. 6 seeded Rutgers at noon, Thursday, in the first round of the tournament.
“I’m happy we’re playing Rutgers,” Cardenas said with confidence. “We’ve never beat them before, but it’s possible, so winning is definitely a goal we can accomplish going into the tournament.”
The Scarlet Knights defeated the Mountaineers earlier this month, in a 6-1 match at the Ridgeview Racquet Club in Morgantown, W.Va.
Cardenas and her doubles partner, sophomore Liv Pettersson, captured the Mountaineers’ only doubles victory in an 8-7(5) match in the No. 2 spot. Cardenas put up a fight in the No. 4 singles spot, but was defeated in a third-set tiebreaker in the final match points.
“Rutgers is a team that we have a great shot at beating,” Cardenas added. “When we played them, I won my doubles match and I went to the third set with my opponent before losing in singles. Several of my teammates had really close matches as well, so winning in the first round is possible if we all go into the match believing that.”
With a great attitude, newfound confidence and the preparation to back it up, Cardenas and her team will go into the tournament with a good chance of coming out on top. In possibly the last match of her junior year, Cardenas plans to bring everything she’s learned to the court and leave knowing she tried her best.
“I’ve made so many changes, I’ve worked hard and I really want get some wins,” she concluded. “I’m gong to put it all out there, tomorrow, and hopefully something great will happen for me and my team. Whether other people believe in us or not, we know we can do it and that’s all that matters.”
NCAA Selection Show
Wednesday, May 13
WVU Baseball Defensive Highlights
Tuesday, May 12
Kansas Recap
Tuesday, May 12
Kansas State Recap
Tuesday, May 12
