'96-'97 Irish Outlook

For Continued Success With a trip to the NCAA quarterfinals last year and the graduation of the most successful senior class in school history, one might think that the University of Notre Dame women's tennis team is facing a rebuilding year in 1996-97. The truth of the matter is that the Irish have set their goals even higher this season and head coach Jay Louderback believes the squad is capable of bigger accomplishments in '96-'97.

Much of the optimism centers around sophomore Jennifer Hall (Oklahoma City, Okla.), who last year became the first Irish player to earn All-America honors as a freshman. Hall finished the season ranked No. 9 in the country by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association and advanced to the third round of the NCAA singles tournament before being eliminated by eventual national champion Jill Craybas. Hall was a member of the United States Tennis Association All-American Summer Team and played several satellite tournaments last summer with that squad. "Jennifer has a great desire to be the best player in the country," says Louderback. "She also has the work ethic and ability to achieve that goal. Jennifer is very strong mentally and gets stronger during tight matches." Hall was named the team MVP last year and was also named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Midwest rookie of the year. She advanced to the round of 16 at the National Clay Court Championship and the quarterfinals of the Midwest Regional Rolex tournaments. Hall made an impact at the Rolex Nationals as she advanced to the semifinals by beating three straight nationally-ranked opponents. Hall played No. 1 singles for the Irish last season and held down the No. 2 doubles spot with Erin Gowen (Mercer Island, Wash.).

Gowen is one of two seniors on the team this year and will serve as the team's captain. Gowen has been a solid contributor on the team for three seasons, despite a knee injury in her freshman year that required surgery. Gowen played No. 5 singles last season and was ranked in doubles with Hall. "Erin has an impeccable work ethic," says Louderback. "She is a fierce competitor and a strong role model for the team. Her experience in tough matches will be invaluable to us."

The only other senior on the team is Tiffany Gates (Grandville, Mich.), a transfer from Minnesota who is in her first year with the Irish. Gates missed most of last season with a shoulder injury but played in the '95 NCAA singles tournament and is a two-time all-Big Ten selection. "Tiffany brings a great deal of big match experience to our lineup," says Louderback. "She has shown a great desire to compete at Notre Dame. Once she settles in, she can become a great leader on and off the court."

Notre Dame's junior class took big steps in match play last year and will be a key part of the Irish team if it is to be competitive on the national level.

Junior Molly Gavin (Escondido, Calif.) saw a great deal of experience last year at the No. 6 singles spot and won 14 of her final 16 singles matches. She has been a steady performer in the dual match lineup for the past two seasons with an overall career mark of 25-19 in dual matches. "Molly won some big singles matches last year," says Louderback. "Her experience in big matches should carry over to this season and strengthen our lineup. She plays her best tennis in tight situations."

Classmate Kelley Olson (Medford, Ore.) was named the team's most improved player last season and played primarily No. 6 singles. In addition, she played the No. 3 doubles position with Marisa Velasco. Olson finished the '96 season the winner of her final four matches of the year and at one point during the year had won seven of nine matches in doubles. "Like Molly, Kelley really came into her own last year," says Louderback. "Kelley has continued to improve each year by working hard on her game during the school year as well as the summer."

Junior Darcie Sweet (Stuart, Fla.) has seen limited playing action over the past two seasons, but the coaching staff believes she will challenge for a spot in the lineup this season. "Darcie's ground strokes and court coverage make her a tough opponent to beat," says Louderback.

Joining Hall in a talented sophomore class are Velasco (Chula Vista, Calif.) and Courtney Haskell (Oneida, N.Y.). Velasco enjoyed an outstanding freshman season with the Irish and ended the year with a national ranking. Velasco saw most of her action at No. 4 singles and played No. 3 doubles. Velasco began her collegiate career with 16 straight wins and ended the regular season with 13 straight victories. "Marisa brings a great will to win to the court every day," says Louderback. "She is a great competitor who fights every point. I expect her to move toward the top of our lineup this season." Haskell saw limited playing time with the Irish last season and had a 4-2 record in open singles. "Courtney is a very good athlete and is beginning to show how much a year in college tennis can help you improve," says Louderback. "She has been willing to work hard and will have a chance to challenge in the doubles lineup."

Notre Dame will have two talented freshman on the team in Sarah Scaringe (Marietta, Ga.) and Kelly Zalinski (Greer, S.C.). Scaringe enjoyed a successful high school career in which she lost only two matches. Scaringe was 13-0 in singles in her senior year as her team won the state championship. "Sarah has a chance this year to make a big jump into college competition," says Louderback. "She has a big lefty serve and a great desire to improve." Zalinski was a four-time all-state and all-conference performer in high school and went undefeated in dual matches in her career. Zalinski was ranked No. 48 in the country and fifth in the South in her age division last year. "Kelly brings tremendous junior tennis experience to Notre Dame," says Louderback. "She has the ability to and power to strengthen our lineup and will improve a great deal with college competition."

Notre Dame will again play a highly-competitive regular season schedule with matches against nine of last year's top 20 teams and will play in the National Team Indoor Championship, which features the top 16 teams in the country. Teams on the schedule that competed in the NCAA tournament last year are BYU (Feb. 1), Clemson (Feb. 17), Wisconsin (Feb. 27), Duke (March 1), Wake Forest (March 9), Texas (March 10) and William & Mary (April 5). The Irish will defend their BIG EAST Conference title April 17-20 in Miami.

"Our team is not about to rest on its laurels of last year," says Louderback. "We will have to work hard in the fall and the winter for things to pay off in the spring. I know this team will be exciting to watch as we continue to develop as a national force."