Last year, our Women's Tennis team performed exceptionally well, advancing to the National Tournament once again. What were the takeaways from last year that can help you propel this team back to Nationals? Being at Nationals two years in a row, what were your key takeaways from that team experience?
I was very proud of our team last year, as they learned from the sophomores what the experience was like going to the National Tournament. When we got together for the first practice this August, the talk was about the enjoyment of going to that event and how great it would be to bring the new players to it. What I was very pleased about was the desire to get back to that level, and so I am seeing a strong focus to improve our games and reach the level of play that will earn us the opportunity to return.
What player do you have back from last year's team that can help you achieve team success? What new players do you have on the roster you are excited to see develop?
What is fantastic about our team is that we were the youngest squad in the region last year with four freshman starters. Now, those four (Isabelle Rodrigue, Michelle Ratinskiy, Ashley Phommasack, and Ruth Bierkness) have the experience of knowing what needs to be accomplished and can help our newer players (Alexis Castaneda and Emmy Lewis, along with Molly Stockwell - who was injured last season and Myra Ridley- who saw some spot action) see the process. So far, the freshman Alexis (Marengo) and Emmy (Johnsburg) have been wonderful additions to the roster and have really meshed well with the others. I like their attitudes and coachability and their willingness to work to improve. I have seen great strides already and believe they will add to our successful line-up.
Do you have a slogan or mantra you will use this year for the team?
This year, I have signs made that simply read: Go make yourself proud, and that is going to be the theme all year. They work really hard in the classroom, at home, at work, and on the court, and I want them to know that what they do is important. They should be proud of that effort.
What do you say to a team to keep the momentum going from match to match? Tennis really has a very strong mental element.
A tennis player often has a continuous dialog in one's head throughout the match. I encourage (really, empower) my players to give themselves the opportunity to focus on the point, but also give themselves a mental break after that point and forget about it, to focus on the next one. I have this Dory "doll" (the forgetful fish from Finding Nemo), and I use it to remind them that each point is a new opportunity to be successful (and in turn, not dwell on the last point). We also use that concept to move from match to match, providing a chance to refocus and move forward.
Tennis is played with Singles and Doubles. Do you think playing in doubles alongside another player helps your players evolve to become better singles players? Or is it a different style to play all together where a player if better fit for double than singles?
Doubles play is a bit different from the singles game. When you play singles, you have the entire court to cover (38 feet by 27 feet) and you will flow through offensive and defensive shots from point to point. In Doubles, we add the allies (making the width 36 feet), and when you stagger the placement of the players, one (net) is the three for offense and the baseline player is for defense (though we do often move forward and back and side to side depending on the point development).
So, do players prefer one over the other? Generally, yes. In high school they must choose, when in college, we can play both. The game is faster in doubles, which helps with reaction time, influencing your singles play. I have had several players through the years that are better at one than the other, but they are also competitive, so they do often improve because of their drive for success.
Tell me a bit more about your team this year- leaders to expect, upcoming freshmen to keep an eye on?
I am happy to report that there are eight players that I am very excited about this season. Their drive and desire to improve is awesome, and I am seeing maturity and leadership developing. We talk in practice about ideas to prepare ourselves for what we are going to see in matches, we talk about the muscle memory and the repetition of drills that provides the body the strength to turn that shot into an opportunity. What is also really exceptional to see, is that each are taking steps in different directions to give us the best chance to be successful.
Are there any matches you have circled on your calendar you are truly excited about? You play the same teams every year, but I am guessing there is a team you're preparing for to get the season started off on the right foot, or to help build team confidence.
We start our regular season with the perennial powerhouse Moraine Valley, which is always a great measuring stick for our team. They are the defending champions and always play tough. They have a new coach this year, who is a former player, and I am certain they will have another strong team. Right after that, we take on MATC, which has had some trouble in the past with roster size, but this year they will field a full team. I think that we will be able to really make a good assessment of our level of play after getting through those two tough opponents.
Our Region is filled with great competition, and we are looking forward to see how we measure up. We do get a chance to play in a preseason "invitational" which gives us a look at Elgin and IVCC early, but also the pressure of competition in a different setting. It is going to be fun!
The level of play rises each year at the national tournament. The game seems to be faster than in years past. When you are recruiting, what are you looking for in an incoming player? Strong serve maybe? Or some other characteristic?
After seeing the National Tournament in person the last two seasons, I can say the game has some excellent young players keeping the sport alive and thriving. Even at our regional tournament, we see a very high level of play, making it fun to watch.
I am looking for good people that play tennis. I like my players to be polite and respectful, as well as coachable and good listeners. I want them to enjoy the sport and realize that they can grow as a student and a person when they come to MCC. If I have players that want to play and improve, then we give them the opportunity to do just that. There are a lot of good players in this county; there are also a lot of great people who want to grow and develop, and those who I want to come join us on the tennis court.
