Tennis team searches for leadership
Published Jan. 26, 2007
The women's tennis team opens its spring season tomorrow at Saint Louis University. Doubles team Amanda Pratzel and Erika Josbena, both seniors, won at the Billiken Fall Invitational there during the fall season. Josbena said she felt she could be successful but not without her best effort.
"Every day you have to go play," she said. "I think we can pull it out."
The Tigers have an 11-6 all-time series lead over the Billikens. Last year's 7-0 victory was the team's fourth consecutive in the series.
But both Josbena and junior Chrissy Svetlic agree that no team on the schedule can be underestimated.
"We're going to have our work cut out for us," Josbena said.
Coach Blake Starkey conceded that the Tigers are the stronger team on paper but said that isn't an excuse for slacking.
"I don't think you play matches on paper," he said.
Despite last year's win, Starkey isn't underestimating the Billikens, considering the different personnel this year.
"We're a completely different team than we were last year," he said.
One of the differences is the loss of Yelena Olshanskaya, who tore her ACL last year in her junior season and will miss the season. Starkey said Olshanskaya will be a supporter of the team but not day in and day out. This is because her ACL tear is described as "nasty," he said, and requires extensive rehab for her to continue normal activities.
Starkey said the team lacks a "hammer," his word for a star No. 1 singles player. Olshanskaya likely would have played this role. She was playing No. 1 singles last season until the injury.
One of the players who will help fill her void is sophomore Raquel Wagner. Wagner is a sophomore transfer from Texas A&M and a St. Louis native. Starkey said Wagner is enjoying being closer to home this season.
"I think she's really happy to be back here," he said.
Starkey said MU has proven to be a better fit for Wagner both academically and geographically.
The players agreed the March 16 match at Oklahoma will be a highlight of the season. The Sooners won last year's match 4-3. But every match, especially ones in the Big 12, is important.
"I get excited about all the Big 12 matches," Svetlic said.
Starkey said he marks every match on his calendar, and the Oklahoma match will be equally significant.
Starkey said he wants his team to work hardest on serving and returning serves. He said he believes approximately 80 percent of points in college tennis are decided in the first four shots.
Starkey said despite his team's room for improvement and its lack of a hammer, his team's attitude will be a positive aspect for the team.
"There's a certain looseness," he said. "I think that makes up for a lot."