The women’s tennis team, down only one player from last year, is poised to improve upon an impressive 2000 season this year.
Senior Michelle Casey played at first singles last year, but she may be hard-pressed to keep the top spot this year. According to Head Coach Carol Pillsworth, both Alex Koch—Casey’s doubles partner—and Kristin Powers have made great strides in the off-season, and any of the three players may end up at first singles, although Casey is still the favorite.
Pillsworth also said that Sophomore Florine Cannelle has shown marked improvements from her first season, and will probably move up from last season’s usual spot at sixth singles. Other players likely to start regularly at singles are Jessica DePalma and Annie Erdekian, but the exact lineup is not decided yet, and may change a bit from meet to meet.
Casey and Koch will continue at first doubles, and Powers will again play with Victoria Gardner at second doubles. The third doubles pair may rotate around a bit, although Senior Thais Triehy figures to have a fair bit of playing time at that spot.
Along with more experience, there is also increased depth on the squad this year. The addition of three new freshmen brings the number of players on the team up to 13, which is a comfortable number. In any given meet, a minimum of six players are used, and a maximum of 12—RPI used nine in most of its competitions last season.
The one loss from last year is co-captain Andrea Paquette, who frequently paired with Triehy at third doubles. Her absence deprives the team of some leadership, but Pillsworth believes that other players who have been with the Engineers for a while will step up to help the team’s younger players.
Despite the greater experience and depth on the team this year, Pillsworth said, it will not be an easy season because of a more difficult schedule of opponents. Besides Union, the Engineers will also play Nazareth College and Clark University, which Pillsworth cited as very tough opponents.
Last year’s squad finished the season with an 8-1 record, losing only to Union College. They also placed tenth in the New York State Women’s Collegiate Athletic Association tournament, a remarkable feat for a young team with no seniors. Pillsworth listed a repeat invitation to the NYSWCAAs as the team’s primary goal for this year, one which she expects to achieve.
The team’s season begins this weekend with the RPI Invitational, to be held at Prospect Park. Saturday’s games will begin at 9 am and Sunday’s will start at 10 am.
