2002-03 Women's Tennis Outlook

07/15/02

-

In 2002 William and Mary’s women’s tennis team proved that the disappointing 2001 season was an aberration, as the Tribe bounced back to win its 16th Colonial Athletic Association championship in 17 seasons and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 11th time overall, making its seventh appearance in the last eight years. The College also earned its 12th No. 1 East Region Ranking, ending the season 18th in the nation. Three singles players and two doubles teams earned all-conference recognition and for the fourth time a W&M player was named the league’s rookie of the year. Tribe head coach Brian Kalbas was named CAA and ITA East Region Coach of the Year, the fourth time he has earned each honor.

Looking to lead the Tribe to its 17th CAA title this season will be a solid corps of three seniors. Kari Olsen has grown into a team leader during her time at the College and, last spring, her teammates voted her as the captain for the 2002-03 campaign. She leads all returning players with 113 wins (46 singles, 67 doubles) and last season earned All-CAA honors in doubles. One of the hardest workers on the team, she has consistently elevated her game throughout her career.

One of the Tribe’s top players as a sophomore, Nina Kamp spent much of last year recovering from shoulder surgery, but is expected to return to form this year. An extremely tough competitor, her commitment to rehabilitation and strength training should help propel her back into the starting lineup.

Rounding out the senior class is Kelli Partlow. One of the team’s top students in the classroom, she has continued to mature as a player and worked very hard to improve her game and elevate her position in the lineup.

Following the lead of the seniors will be a group of very talented underclassmen. Four sophomores, who combined for three all-conference accolades, are back and Kalbas has also brought three newcomers to the team.

Topping the list of young players is Candice Fuchs. Last year’s CAA Rookie of the Year, Fuchs also earned first team all-league honors in singles and doubles, finished the season nationally ranked and participated in the NCAA postseason doubles tournament. Her participation in the NCAAs gave her a taste of her potential for collegiate success and she has worked very hard over the summer to ensure that she maximizes her abilities.

Sophomore Lena Sherbakov was a consistent player in the middle of the lineup last year, leading the team with 24 singles victories. She began her career with an outstanding fall and made a smooth transition from high school to college competition. One of the key components to the team’s success, it will be important for her to use her experience from last year to help elevate her game.

A second team All-CAA pick in doubles, Amy Wei came on strong in the spring, with an 18-7 singles record, including wins in nine of her last 10 matches. As she continued to gain confidence throughout the spring, she helped spark the team to success, not only with her achievements on the court, but also with her consistently positive attitude.

Melissa Reed saw limited action last season, but was a key part of the team’s achievements. With an outstanding attitude and work ethic, it is essential for her to continue to compete and push, or even pass, those ahead of her in the lineup.

A sophomore transfer from Illinois, Kate Boomershine was initially recruited by Kalbas out of high school and will be eligible to play three years at W&M. As a freshman last season she played in the middle of the Illini lineup and compiled 12 singles wins and eight doubles victories. With terrific natural ability, she is capable of being an outstanding college player.

One of the Tribe’s two freshmen, Megan Muth has already demonstrated the ability to play at the college level with big wins in ITA Indoor Summer Circuit singles and doubles competitions. Strong mental toughness and extreme maturity on the court have combined to put her game at a very high level.

Freshman Lingda Yang also has significant experience on the national scene and has been nationally ranked her entire career. Another very hard worker, she will need to draw on her experience and earlier success to adapt her game to the college level.

Kalbas and first-year assistant Kord Schwarz have set some lofty, but achievable, goals for the team this year: win the CAA Championship for the 17th time and advance to the round-of-16 at the NCAA Tournament.

“To do that it will be important for each member of the team to strive to be No. 1,” explains Kalbas. “We need everyone to want to play as high as possible in the lineup.

“We have a very young team [seven freshmen and sophomores and just three seniors], so everyone will have to be a leader and show maturity. Conditioning in the fall will be a major factor, as will individual workouts both on and off the court.”

As is the case every season, Kalbas has put together a very difficult schedule. Opening the fall at home with one of the largest and most competitive women’s tournaments in the country, the W&M Invitational involves close to 100 competitors from nine nationally-ranked teams. In the spring season the Tribe’s schedule features 15 teams that ended 2002 nationally-ranked and five that finished in the top 10. W&M will take road trips to defending national champion Stanford, No. 8 Wake Forest and No. 10 Texas, and will host fifth-ranked North Carolina and No. 9 Arizona State.