10/30/03

With a perfect 10-0 season, the Mercer's Women’s Tennis Team has done it again, winning its seventh consecutive Region 19 championship at Brookdale Community College on Oct. 24.  Totaling 23 points, the Vikings dwarfed the competition as Brookdale tallied just 10 points, and Ocean came in a distant third with 7.  The women played a record number of matches this year, which added up to the best season record in team history. "We picked up a bunch of additional matches," said Head Coach Marc Vecchiolla, including a contest against Nassau (NY) Community College, which the Vikings won 7-2, and the Harford (MD) Invitational Tournament, in which Mercer prevailed with 12 points. "Playing so many matches helped us out," said Vecchiolla.  "The players needed the experience of going into battle.  I saw them grow with each match.  They had so much more in their 'bag of tricks.'  Their confidence improved, their stamina increased and they made some smart strategic moves on the court.  They were able to take their games to the next level."

Back Row (l. to r.): Vol. Asst. Coach Barbara Pleva, Landry Shelley, Head Coach Marc Vecchiolla, Victoria Lissova, and Asst. Coach Ralph Bencivengo; Front Row (l. to r.): Jana Sulerova, Maureen Haggerty, Desiree Noel, Janice Wilcox, and Sherry Lin

Congratulations on a perfect season to: Landry Shelley, Jana Sulerova, Maureen Haggerty, Sherry Lin, Janice Wilcox, Desiree Noel, and Victoria Lissova.  Silvina Wills, who was sidelined by injury during the fall season, is expected to be ready to step in for Jana Sulerova, who will transfer to Drexel University in the spring.  Ralph Bencivengo and Barbara Pleva are Vecchiolla’s volunteer assistant coaches.  “We work one-on-one with each player.  Their help and expertise is invaluable,” said Vecchiolla.
 
For now the team is taking a well deserved rest.  Practice begins in late January for the NJCAA National Tournament, which takes place in College Station, TX, May 1-7, 2004.   

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