2008 Woodie Awards
Women's squad makes strong start after knocking off No. 2 ranked team
By: Amy Swanson
Issue date: 3/9/06 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
Women's tennis season is officially underway after Webster faced Westminster College March 4. Webster defeated the No. 2 Westminster 5-4.
Webster senior Elizabeth Grach said Westminster is a strong opponent, and the team looks forward to facing them each season.
"Principia and Westminster are both really good and strong and we try to focus on them," Grach said.
Principia finished at the top of the conference the last few years and remain ranked No. 1 this season.
"Principia seem's to win conference every year and every girl that is back this year, that seems to be what they talk about," said Head Coach Mike Siener. "I don't know if we're Principia's rival, but the girls definitely looked forward to competing against them because they are the best team in the league."
The team has undergone several changes from last season, one of which was welcoming Siener as the new coach. Siener has been the assistant men's basketball coach for the last five
seasons and is also heading up men's tennis this season.
"I think we have a really nice team," Siener said. "We have pretty good leadership coming back. The seniors do a good job of coming to practice and being good leaders."
The team's court time this season has been greatly reduced due to scheduling conflicts. Siener said practices are scheduled during peak class time, which makes it difficult for players to attend each day.
"It's really hard to win the conference championship when we have players that sometimes can't make it to all the practices," Siener said. "We don't have on-campus facilities, so we can't practice on our own time. The best time for us to
practice is 1 to 3 p.m. and that is a huge obstacle for us."
Sophomore Laila Wessel said she is looking forward to her first season at Webster.
"It was always my dream to play college tennis," said Wessel, a transfer student from Ball State University. "I always wanted to play for a Division III school because I knew I could put my studies first and play for fun and it would be an easier level of tennis where it's not a job."
Siener named Wessel the 2006 team captain based on her
performance in the off season this year.
"She's pretty committed and does a great job," Siener said. "She's at practice every day and is really consistent."
The Gorloks travel to Greenville College March 21 and face top-seeded Principia College March 28.
"As a team we definitely want a winning season," Grach said. "We want to come out on top and do well in our conference."
Home matches are played at the Webster Groves Recreational Center, located on south Elm Avenue.
Webster senior Elizabeth Grach said Westminster is a strong opponent, and the team looks forward to facing them each season.
"Principia and Westminster are both really good and strong and we try to focus on them," Grach said.
Principia finished at the top of the conference the last few years and remain ranked No. 1 this season.
"Principia seem's to win conference every year and every girl that is back this year, that seems to be what they talk about," said Head Coach Mike Siener. "I don't know if we're Principia's rival, but the girls definitely looked forward to competing against them because they are the best team in the league."
The team has undergone several changes from last season, one of which was welcoming Siener as the new coach. Siener has been the assistant men's basketball coach for the last five
seasons and is also heading up men's tennis this season.
"I think we have a really nice team," Siener said. "We have pretty good leadership coming back. The seniors do a good job of coming to practice and being good leaders."
The team's court time this season has been greatly reduced due to scheduling conflicts. Siener said practices are scheduled during peak class time, which makes it difficult for players to attend each day.
"It's really hard to win the conference championship when we have players that sometimes can't make it to all the practices," Siener said. "We don't have on-campus facilities, so we can't practice on our own time. The best time for us to
practice is 1 to 3 p.m. and that is a huge obstacle for us."
Sophomore Laila Wessel said she is looking forward to her first season at Webster.
"It was always my dream to play college tennis," said Wessel, a transfer student from Ball State University. "I always wanted to play for a Division III school because I knew I could put my studies first and play for fun and it would be an easier level of tennis where it's not a job."
Siener named Wessel the 2006 team captain based on her
performance in the off season this year.
"She's pretty committed and does a great job," Siener said. "She's at practice every day and is really consistent."
The Gorloks travel to Greenville College March 21 and face top-seeded Principia College March 28.
"As a team we definitely want a winning season," Grach said. "We want to come out on top and do well in our conference."
Home matches are played at the Webster Groves Recreational Center, located on south Elm Avenue.