Friday, September 19, 2008
A mix of chemistry, a dash of teamwork and a sprinkle of talent is exactly what the women’s tennis team has to offer as it begins the new season and plays its first tournament at the University of New Mexico this weekend.
Three freshmen, Alessandra Dzuba, Erin Wilbert and Ekaterina Morosova will be adorned in crimson and blue for the first time in their careers. The upperclassmen have helped with the mixture of excitement and uncertainty the freshmen have on their minds by encouraging and letting them know the hard work pays off in the end.
“Our goal is competing hard, working on the competition and working at a high level this season,” fourth-year coach Amy Hall-Holt said.
Working at a high level is definitely the key to a successful season, and the girls motivate each other and themselves toward the same common goal — a victory. After weeks of practicing with familiar faces across the court, the team will play against different sets of women and use the techniques it has learned to perform their hardest.
“The experience of the upperclassmen coming back is an advantage, and our freshmen being a very talented group makes me excited to see what they put out,” Hall-Holt said. “It’s nice seeing these girls do what they do best.”
The chemistry the team has this season is a newfound experience among coaches and players. It is evident in practices as the girls push one other’s performance level.
Although three seniors are gone from last year, the Jayhawks still have an experienced team of nine women who know what to expect this season. The benefit of having the majority of the players come back has helped the team improve and with the addition of new players, the chemistry of the team seems to fit.
“The team is a mix of girls from many different countries and usually with that comes difficulty in communication,” Emily Gorham, Boerne, Texas, sophomore said. “This year everyone is very comfortable with one another and we’re really coming together early on as a team.”
Along with the team chemistry, the experience and talent of the players motivates the team to improve during workouts and practices. Each girl practices with intensity and drive, while remembering to keep in mind the injuries the team was plagued with throughout last season.
“One thing I would love to see this year is an injury-free team stepping out on the court each tournament,” Gorham said.
With help from the team’s new trainer, they can focus on developing a stronger, healthier team once the season is in full swing to avoid major injuries.
Although the team doesn’t have a team motto, Hall-Holt always gives a couple of encouraging words before the team starts a match: “Finish strong.” These few words guide the team to work hard, resulting in the right push to have a winning season combined with chemistry, teamwork and raw talent.
— — Edited by Kelsey Hayes
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