2008 Woodie Awards
Women ace start, men fault big time
By: Matt Grover
Issue date: 3/29/07 Section: Sports
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WOMEN'S TENNIS
Shortly before the 2007 season began, members of the Webster women's tennis team were determined to redeem themselves. The team's frustration stemmed from a disappointing performance in the 2006 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship Tournament, which resulted in a fourth-place finish in the SLIAC.
Three tournaments into the season, the Gorloks have officially notified the SLIAC of their intentions by reeling off three straight victories - including two victories over SLIAC rivals Maryville University and Greenville College.
"I think it makes a pretty good statement that we are going to compete for the SLIAC title and do all we can to win it," Head Coach Mike Siener said.
The women's tennis team picked up its first victory March 21 against Maryville, beating the Saints 7-2. On March 24, the Gorloks beat Greenville 6-3 before traveling to Ina, Ill., to play Rend Lake College March 25. Webster escaped Rend Lake with a 5-4 victory. This is the first time since 2003 Webster started a season 3-0.
Webster's No. 1, 2 and 3 position players - sophomores Raquel Rothermel and Laila Wessel and freshman Kelsey O'Keefe - combined to go 15-3 in their matches.
"We're feeling great about it," Rothermel said. "It only makes us feel more confident for our next matches."
The only losses the trio had came in doubles competition against Rend Lake.
"My top three did a really good job winning their matches," Siener said.
While the top three were nearly perfect, the four, five and six position players - freshmen Meagan Eakes and Tina Vollmer and senior Rachel Kaufmann - contributed just as much to the Gorloks' undefeated start.
The strong performance of the bottom three is a change for the Gorloks. Siener said last season the Gorloks were plagued by inconsistency from the bottom three positions.
"What helped us this week was Tina and Rachel and Meagan," Siener said. "They worked hard to make us better. Last year, that was our weak point."
Shortly before the 2007 season began, members of the Webster women's tennis team were determined to redeem themselves. The team's frustration stemmed from a disappointing performance in the 2006 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship Tournament, which resulted in a fourth-place finish in the SLIAC.
Three tournaments into the season, the Gorloks have officially notified the SLIAC of their intentions by reeling off three straight victories - including two victories over SLIAC rivals Maryville University and Greenville College.
"I think it makes a pretty good statement that we are going to compete for the SLIAC title and do all we can to win it," Head Coach Mike Siener said.
The women's tennis team picked up its first victory March 21 against Maryville, beating the Saints 7-2. On March 24, the Gorloks beat Greenville 6-3 before traveling to Ina, Ill., to play Rend Lake College March 25. Webster escaped Rend Lake with a 5-4 victory. This is the first time since 2003 Webster started a season 3-0.
Webster's No. 1, 2 and 3 position players - sophomores Raquel Rothermel and Laila Wessel and freshman Kelsey O'Keefe - combined to go 15-3 in their matches.
"We're feeling great about it," Rothermel said. "It only makes us feel more confident for our next matches."
The only losses the trio had came in doubles competition against Rend Lake.
"My top three did a really good job winning their matches," Siener said.
While the top three were nearly perfect, the four, five and six position players - freshmen Meagan Eakes and Tina Vollmer and senior Rachel Kaufmann - contributed just as much to the Gorloks' undefeated start.
The strong performance of the bottom three is a change for the Gorloks. Siener said last season the Gorloks were plagued by inconsistency from the bottom three positions.
"What helped us this week was Tina and Rachel and Meagan," Siener said. "They worked hard to make us better. Last year, that was our weak point."
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