University of Richmond Athletics
Women's Tennis 2006 Season Preview
01/17/2006 | Women's Tennis
Jan. 17, 2006
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - "The team is hungry," stated University of Richmond head women's tennis coach Mark Wesselink of his 2006 tennis squad. "They are all willing to do the work it takes to win." And they have been in the past as well. The Spiders, who have now earned three Atlantic 10 titles in just four years of league competition, in addition to advancing to the NCAA tournament for the fifth time in 2005, are embarking upon what could be their most successful season ever.
With All-Atlantic 10 performers Robin Carter, the return from injury of former No. 1 player Beatrice Grasu, and the addition of four strong players, Wesselink expects that even though the Spiders are young, they are a deep team with solid players throughout the line-up. "It would be a mistake for opponents to think we are going to be down after losing our No. 1 and No. 3 players from last year."
The Spiders' lone senior is once again expected to play a key role in the team's success this year. Meghan Wolfgram (Granite Bay, Calif.) is coming off another standout season where she posted an impressive 17-6 mark at No. 4 singles and a 19-2 mark at top doubles, ranking as high as 40th in the nation and earning A-10 honors.
After posting a 12-8 mark in singles play at the No. 2 spot and a 12-9 record at No. 2 doubles, junior Robin Carter (Mendham, N.J.) will be a key contributor for the Spiders in the 2006 season. The 2005 All-Conference performer notched a six-match win steak in the middle of the 2005 season.
Junior Beatrice Grasu (Reisertown, Maryland), who missed the majority of the 2005 season due to injury after posting a 1-3 mark at the No. 5 singles spot and 3-3 record in doubles action, will rejoin the Spiders as they strive for another A-10 title and NCAA appearance.
Sophomore Jelena Zivanovic (Mississauga, Ontorio) recorded a 7-14 singles mark, predominately at the No. 5 spot, and a 4-2 doubles record last season and is expected to be a key factor for the Spiders this season.
In addition to the four returnees, the Spiders are also joined by three freshmen and one transfer, all of whom Wesselink has high expectations for.
Junior transfer Jessica Hubbard (Johannesburg, South Africa) is expected to make an immediate impact as she recorded a 6-4 singles mark and a 7-3 doubles record in the fall season. Freshman Pamela Duran (Guayaquil, Ecuador), who posted a 5-4 singles record and 2-6 doubles record in the fall, will make an instant impact on the Spiders success as she has earned a No. 74 national ranking as a freshman.
Freshmen Ashlee Vosters (Bethany, Del.) and Xenia Schneider (Germany) are fresh off a hot fall season in which they both recorded an 8-3 singles mark.
"The freshmen are fast learners and made the most of their fall competitions," stated Wesselink of his rookies. "They will be ready to deal some pain this year."
Challenged with a competitive schedule that includes 8-10 nationally ranked teams, the Spiders remain optimistic and enthusiastic about the challenges ahead of them. "This team will be competitive with anyone we play, especially with the top nationally ranked teams." Led by the three-time Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year, the Spiders are ready for anything that comes their way.
"I like the unity of this group and their commitment to succeed," concluded Wesselink. "We are looking to make it three championships in a row and four out of five since joining the Atlantic 10."