The Observer, April 20, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 25
Case hosts UAA women's tennis tournament this weekend
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This weekend, Case will host the UAA women's tennis tournament, where each team in the conference will play Friday through Sunday. The tournament plays host to some of the best tennis schools in the nation, with Emory, Carnegie Mellon, and Chicago ranked in the top 30 nationally. Here is a quick look at each team competing, in order of their tournament seeding.
Emory University
The Eagles are most definitely the team to beat. They come into the tournament touting the No.9 ranking in the country. Not only do they hold the highest ranking, but they have been crowned the UAA champions for the past 19 years. The Eagles have a very young team with only three upperclassmen but still possess great depth. Richelle Marasigan, Tshema Nash, Sabra Rogers, and Kirsten Hillock are all ranked in the top 20 in the Atlantic south region. They will face Case in the first round, a team they swept last year in the same match-up.
Carnegie Mellon University
The Tartans come into the tournament with a very good shot at taking the title. Ranked 18th in the nation, Mellon is a very strong team led by a core group of juniors and seniors. It is home to Amy Staloch, the fifth-ranked player in the region, and Mona Iyer, who is currently ranked 20th in the region. While the Tartans record is a respectable 10-7, it is their strength of schedule (they have played five nationally ranked teams) that makes them dangerous. If they can continue to get solid production from their doubles teams, look for Carnegie Mellon in the finals.
University of Chicago
Chicago is the last of the three ranked schools that fill the tournament's bracket. Chicago looks to follow the lead of standouts Marissa Lin and Vindya Dayananda, ranked fifth and 10th, respectively. They must have better play from the other four women if they want to compete far into the tournament. As it stands, their number one and two slots account for more than one third of their match win total. Their usually strong doubles play will also help them get one or two points.
Washington University
Washington comes into the tournament on a hot streak. The Bears have won three of their last four matches and look to carry this momentum into the tournament. They have a larger team than most of the other schools with 12 players. This large, young talent pool has been the base of this year's team. Their number five and six players have been the most consistent on the team with a combined record of 19-13. They will look to senior Erin Fleming for leadership and rely on their singles play to advance.
New York University
The Violets enter the tournament having won three of their last four matches. NYU is by far the most seasoned team of the field with three seniors, three juniors, and two sophomores. The Violets will need to use this experience to their advantage, especially playing in the lower slots, which are generally filled by young players. If the Violets can continue getting points from the bottom of their depth chart, look for them to sneak past Washington in the opening round.
Brandeis University
Brandeis needs to bring its A-game in order to compete with Chicago in the first round. The Judges must have an increase in production from the second half of their singles lineup or they will stand no chance. senior captain Jenicka Hornung has to lead by example and get some big wins in the five and six slots. Their doubles play will also need to be stronger than ever in order to pick up points in those matches.
Case Western Reserve University
The home team looks like it's in for a little bit of a rough weekend. The young team is going through some growing pains and enters the tournament with a 3-10 record while riding a five-match losing streak. The Spartans will need incredible performances from the second half of their lineup if they want to compete with an extremely talented Emory team. Look for Marta Worwag to give the Spartans some points in both singles and doubles matches.
University of Rochester
The Yellow Jackets need to buckle down and play incredible tennis if they want to be competitive in the tournament this weekend. They come into Cleveland having lost five of their last six matches with the only win coming against Case. They will need to shore up weaknesses in all facets of their game in order to compensate for Carnegie Mellon's depth and overall proficiency.
