'96-'97 Irish Outlook
For Continued Success With a trip to the NCAA quarterfinals last
year and the graduation of the most successful senior class in school history, one
might think that the University of Notre Dame women's tennis team is facing a
rebuilding year in 1996-97. The truth of the matter is that the Irish have set
their goals even higher this season and head coach Jay Louderback believes the
squad is capable of bigger accomplishments in '96-'97.
Much of the optimism centers
around sophomore Jennifer Hall (Oklahoma City, Okla.), who last year became the
first Irish player to earn All-America honors as a freshman. Hall finished the
season ranked No. 9 in the country by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association and
advanced to the third round of the NCAA singles tournament before being eliminated
by eventual national champion Jill Craybas. Hall was a member of the United States
Tennis Association All-American Summer Team and played several satellite
tournaments last summer with that squad. "Jennifer has a great desire to be the
best player in the country," says Louderback. "She also has the work ethic and
ability to achieve that goal. Jennifer is very strong mentally and gets stronger
during tight matches." Hall was named the team MVP last year and was also named the
Intercollegiate Tennis Association Midwest rookie of the year. She advanced to the
round of 16 at the National Clay Court Championship and the quarterfinals of the
Midwest Regional Rolex tournaments. Hall made an impact at the Rolex Nationals as
she advanced to the semifinals by beating three straight nationally-ranked
opponents. Hall played No. 1 singles for the Irish last season and held down the
No. 2 doubles spot with Erin Gowen (Mercer Island, Wash.).
Gowen is one of two
seniors on the team this year and will serve as the team's captain. Gowen has been
a solid contributor on the team for three seasons, despite a knee injury in her
freshman year that required surgery. Gowen played No. 5 singles last season and
was ranked in doubles with Hall. "Erin has an impeccable work ethic," says
Louderback. "She is a fierce competitor and a strong role model for the team. Her
experience in tough matches will be invaluable to us."
The only other senior on the
team is Tiffany Gates (Grandville, Mich.), a transfer from Minnesota who is in her
first year with the Irish. Gates missed most of last season with a shoulder injury
but played in the '95 NCAA singles tournament and is a two-time all-Big Ten
selection. "Tiffany brings a great deal of big match experience to our lineup,"
says Louderback. "She has shown a great desire to compete at Notre Dame. Once she
settles in, she can become a great leader on and off the court."
Notre Dame's
junior class took big steps in match play last year and will be a key part of the
Irish team if it is to be competitive on the national level.
Junior Molly Gavin
(Escondido, Calif.) saw a great deal of experience last year at the No. 6 singles
spot and won 14 of her final 16 singles matches. She has been a steady performer in
the dual match lineup for the past two seasons with an overall career mark of 25-19
in dual matches. "Molly won some big singles matches last year," says Louderback.
"Her experience in big matches should carry over to this season and strengthen our
lineup. She plays her best tennis in tight situations."
Classmate Kelley Olson
(Medford, Ore.) was named the team's most improved player last season and played
primarily No. 6 singles. In addition, she played the No. 3 doubles position with
Marisa Velasco. Olson finished the '96 season the winner of her final four matches
of the year and at one point during the year had won seven of nine matches in
doubles. "Like Molly, Kelley really came into her own last year," says Louderback.
"Kelley has continued to improve each year by working hard on her game during the
school year as well as the summer."
Junior Darcie Sweet (Stuart, Fla.) has seen
limited playing action over the past two seasons, but the coaching staff believes
she will challenge for a spot in the lineup this season. "Darcie's ground strokes
and court coverage make her a tough opponent to beat," says Louderback.
Joining
Hall in a talented sophomore class are Velasco (Chula Vista, Calif.) and Courtney
Haskell (Oneida, N.Y.). Velasco enjoyed an outstanding freshman season with the
Irish and ended the year with a national ranking. Velasco saw most of her action at
No. 4 singles and played No. 3 doubles. Velasco began her collegiate career with 16
straight wins and ended the regular season with 13 straight victories. "Marisa
brings a great will to win to the court every day," says Louderback. "She is a
great competitor who fights every point. I expect her to move toward the top of our
lineup this season." Haskell saw limited playing time with the Irish last season
and had a 4-2 record in open singles. "Courtney is a very good athlete and is
beginning to show how much a year in college tennis can help you improve," says
Louderback. "She has been willing to work hard and will have a chance to challenge
in the doubles lineup."
Notre Dame will have two talented freshman on the team in
Sarah Scaringe (Marietta, Ga.) and Kelly Zalinski (Greer, S.C.). Scaringe enjoyed a
successful high school career in which she lost only two matches. Scaringe was 13-0
in singles in her senior year as her team won the state championship. "Sarah has a
chance this year to make a big jump into college competition," says Louderback.
"She has a big lefty serve and a great desire to improve." Zalinski was a four-time
all-state and all-conference performer in high school and went undefeated in dual
matches in her career. Zalinski was ranked No. 48 in the country and fifth in the
South in her age division last year. "Kelly brings tremendous junior tennis
experience to Notre Dame," says Louderback. "She has the ability to and power to
strengthen our lineup and will improve a great deal with college competition."
Notre Dame will again play a highly-competitive regular season schedule with
matches against nine of last year's top 20 teams and will play in the National Team
Indoor Championship, which features the top 16 teams in the country. Teams on the
schedule that competed in the NCAA tournament last year are BYU (Feb. 1), Clemson
(Feb. 17), Wisconsin (Feb. 27), Duke (March 1), Wake Forest (March 9), Texas (March
10) and William & Mary (April 5). The Irish will defend their BIG EAST Conference
title April 17-20 in Miami.
"Our team is not about to rest on its laurels of last
year," says Louderback. "We will have to work hard in the fall and the winter for
things to pay off in the spring. I know this team will be exciting to watch as we
continue to develop as a national force."
