Young team shows promise
Timothy Henshaw
Issue date: 4/9/09 Section: Sports
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Despite a disappointing loss to Southern Conference opponent Georgia Southern Saturday, the Lady Mocs still showed improvement despite an overwhelmingly more experienced Eagles squad.
"Injuries have really given freshmen an opportunity to play," head coach Jeff Clark said.
"We've seen a lot of improvement since January. The future looks good."
Shoulder surgery has caused some problems for the women's tennis team; senior Beata Knizat, Niagra-on-the-lake, Ontario, Canada, and sophomore Grace Robinette, Chattanooga, have both been operated on this season.
The team will look to rebound with three final home matches this week versus Western Carolina, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and NAIA opponent Tennessee Wesleyan. The Lady Mocs will take on 5-12 Western Carolina, who is 0-8 in conference play, Friday.
"We feel we really stack up against them well, we're going to need all six players to come out and play their hardest." Clark said.
They will follow that up with a match against the No. 4 ranked team in the Southern Conference, UNC Greensboro and returning SoCon player-of-the-year Alejandra Guerra, Saturday. The regular season finale is a home match against the Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs, April 14.
Knizat, the Mocs lone senior whose season was cut short due to an injury, will be honored on Senior Day Tuesday as well as the men's tennis seniors.
The senior may have had her playing season cut short, but Clark said he has appreciated her effort off the court.
"She's really been a big help," Clark said. "She's been helping coach since she's been hurt."
