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Women's Tennis Team Takes Fifth
at Nationals
6/2/09
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With a record
of 4-3 record in the fall, the women's tennis team earned enough
points to qualify for the National Junior College Athletic Association
tournament May 2-9 in Tucson, AZ. After a two-year rebuilding period,
Head Coach Marc Vecchiolla was glad to take his Vikings back to
nationals.
But with only two returning players and none with experience at
the national level, Vecchiolla was realistic. "They did their
best against some fierce competition, an experience that will make
a huge difference for those expected to return next year. They experienced
what it takes to be successful at that level," he said.
A highlight of the tournament was the performance of the team's
newest member, Maria Eldridge, who made it to the finals at no.
6 and was named a Second Team All-American. A former field hockey
player, Eldridge began concentrating on tennis when she started
at MCCC in September. Vecchiolla observed that she spent a lot of
time on the court and that her hard work was evident at the tournament.
She notched a decisive win in her semifinal match against an opponent
she had lost to twice during the fall season. "She didn't miss
a practice and was extremely responsive to coaching," he said.
In other tournament action, Mercer's no. 1 player Hillary Gall and
no. 3 doubles partners Eldridge and Emily Dow won their consolation
matches. The Vikings finished fifth overall.
According to Vecchiolla, the mental aspects of tennis can be trying
in a regular season match. At the national level, the stress is
enormous. "Sometimes your biggest opponent is yourself,"
he said.
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A
finalist in the no. 6 position at nationals, Maria Eldridge was
named a Second Team All-American.
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Head
Coach Marc Vecchiolla with sophomore Katrina Brophy (no. 4), selected
as this year's Scholar-Athlete in Women's Tennis and freshman Rebecca
Wolf (no. 2).
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In
addition to Eldridge, the roster included Gall, Rebecca Wolf (no. 2),
Kristina Holsman (no. 3), Katrina Brophy (no. 4), and Dow (no 5). With
all but Gall and Brophy expected to return, Vecchiolla predicts that next
year will be one of solid achievement.
Vecchiolla
was assisted this year by Barb Pleva and Ralph Bencivengo.
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