Tennisteam loses despitestrongeffortagainstMarywood

by Jenny Yoos

staff writer

The women's tennis team was able to show their strength on Sept. 18th at the match against Marywood University. Although they were not able to come away with the win, they tried their hardest. 'This is a strong team which has a long way to go, however each match shows their growing improvement. Our growing improvement will allow the distance to get shorter and shorter," said Coach Reggie Day. This was a tough match for the women's team, but their desire to win was still there. Marywood did end up winning 90, however Cabrini played a strong game. "All of the players have a strong ability to win, however they may not believe that they do. Marywood is one of the perennial powerhouses in the conference and they did not know what to expect from our team," Day said. "All the matches were extremely close, especially the singles matches."

There are several good players on the team which greatly contributed to the match. Lori Gibbons is "the number one caliber player this year," Day said. "She had a strong match at #1 singles, even though she lost. She has made a huge transition, jumping up two notches. The next day she won three sets against the number one player from Kings College," Day said.

Some of the other key players were Helene Casanelli, Melissa Shanon, Sara Rothfuss, Tara Ditrolio and Nicole

Klimas. "Helene is the second best player on the team and is getting stronger with each match. It was a tough match, but she played extremely well." Day said. Melissa Shanon is a "very tenacious player," he said. She contributed to the match also. This season is a quantum leap for her because she has moved up from the number eight player to the number three player. Freshmen Sara Rothfus is a freshmen which experienced a tough match also. "She has a strong desire to win, it was just an experienced match for her," said Reggie

Day.

"Each player did a tremendous job in this strong match, but they were up against strong competition. There were many consistent performing players of the game which helped them to do their best. The team as a whole is willing to step in and do their best," said the coach.

The team is experiencing an off year along with the many other teams in the conference. According to Day, there is a lack of experience in the conference. 'There is a general decline in the number of real top flight women's college players at the Division three level. I, along with the other coaches in the division. have agreed. I believe we are experiencing growing pains," said Reggie Day.

It has become general knowledge that in the past the tennis team has had 11 winning seasons and this year it is almost anyone's race in the conference. 'This year it will come down to whoever ekes out the one critical match." Day said.

Since the beginning it has always been Marywood, Cabrini, and another team holding the top three positions in the conference. "We are one player away from being right in the thick of the conference this year," he said.

It is the general feeling of the team that they have the strength and the ability to do their best this season. They feel that they have a long way to go this season, but they have the desire to win.