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The past several seasons have been trying for the Shawnee State
Tennis Team. In fact, the Bears have not finished over
.500 since the 2001 season. In fact, the Bears have
not won a conference match since 2002 when the AMC moved to
divisional play. Second year coach Dan Dodson hopes a few
additions to the roster and a year of hard work by the returning
players can turn the Bears' fortunes in 2006. Gone from last
year's squad are number 1 and 2 players Natalie Gill and Jen
Cummins. The two combined to win four singles matches and
were involved in two doubles victories. Coach Dodson looks
to senior Elizabeth Schultz to move into the #2 slot and
freshman Veronica Lerch to take over at #1 singles.
Schultz has won a pair of matches primarily playing #3 singles
over the course of her two years with the Bears. Lerch
comes to the Bears out of Marchetti Public High School in Sao
Paulo, Brazil. She played in the Sao Paulo State Tennis
Federation as well as the Jaraga Club. She twice won the
Sao Paulo State Championship in her division.
Returning players for the Bears include Schultz, Richardson,
Andrea Rader, Ashley Fender, Amy Markley, Beth Eichelberger, and
Kate McCarty. Richardson will move from #5 singles to #3
singles. She will also combine with Veronica Lerch to play
#1 doubles. Rader returns to play #6 singles for the 3rd
straight year. Fender will play #2 doubles with Elizabeth
Schultz. Markley primarily played #3 singles last season.
In addition to Lerch, newcomers to the Bears line-up include
red-shirt freshman Jennifer Henry and freshman Megan Spencer.
Henry is likely to move into the #5 singles spot and Spencer
could play #3 singles.
"We play in a really tough conference," said Coach Dodson.
"The returning players have worked hard and have improved their
game. The new players have a lot of talent and the desire
to work. Despite the fact that we are going to be greatly
improved, our record may not be indicative of that improvement.
We're going to work hard and approach each match in a positive
manner. Hopefully, we'll be able to surprise a few people
this year."
Shawnee State opens the season at Central State on Tuesday,
April 4. |
