2009 Tennis Season In Review
May 8, 2009
The Tigers completed their 2009 season with another trip to the National Championships in Mobile, Alabama. They achieved a final ranking of 10th before the Championship began but actually beat the number 7 ranked team Azusa Pacific on their way to the quarter finals. In a match that was closer than the 5-0 score indicated the Tigers finally went down to eventual runner-up Fresno Pacific.
It was an excellent season for the Tigers. They recorded wins over various ranked Division 2 opponents - North Georgia, John Carroll, Grand Valley State, Palm Beach Atlantic, Georgia College and State and Clayton State. The Clayton State victory was particularly notable as, with the match score tied at 4-4, it featured a dramatic comeback from 5-1 in the deciding set by the Tigers number 5 player Liubov Orlova, who survived match points and a huge deficit in the tiebreaker to win 7-6.
Doubles play was strong all year with the freshman team of Hannah Thompson and Lyn See Choo playing well at the number 1 position. Senior Paula Ghilardotti and Jolene Wong finished the season with an impressive 16-3 record while fellow senior Naty Aranguren and Liubov Orlova lost only 6 matches all season.
Freshman Lyn See Choo stepped into the number 2 spot and made an immediate impact losing only 2 matches all year. Although small in stature she gives everything on court and her excellent timing of the ball gives her plenty of power. Graduating seniors Paula Ghilardotti and Natalia Aranguren will be missed not only for their play but for their lively personalities. Coach Leslie will be recruiting at least 2 new players to strengthen the squad for next year and hopefully make an even deeper run at the National Championships. The completion of the indoor facility made a huge difference in the pre-season practice schedule as during the rainy spring while other teams were unable to practice the Tigers were on the court rain or shine!
It was an excellent season for the Tigers. They recorded wins over various ranked Division 2 opponents - North Georgia, John Carroll, Grand Valley State, Palm Beach Atlantic, Georgia College and State and Clayton State. The Clayton State victory was particularly notable as, with the match score tied at 4-4, it featured a dramatic comeback from 5-1 in the deciding set by the Tigers number 5 player Liubov Orlova, who survived match points and a huge deficit in the tiebreaker to win 7-6.
Doubles play was strong all year with the freshman team of Hannah Thompson and Lyn See Choo playing well at the number 1 position. Senior Paula Ghilardotti and Jolene Wong finished the season with an impressive 16-3 record while fellow senior Naty Aranguren and Liubov Orlova lost only 6 matches all season.
Freshman Lyn See Choo stepped into the number 2 spot and made an immediate impact losing only 2 matches all year. Although small in stature she gives everything on court and her excellent timing of the ball gives her plenty of power. Graduating seniors Paula Ghilardotti and Natalia Aranguren will be missed not only for their play but for their lively personalities. Coach Leslie will be recruiting at least 2 new players to strengthen the squad for next year and hopefully make an even deeper run at the National Championships. The completion of the indoor facility made a huge difference in the pre-season practice schedule as during the rainy spring while other teams were unable to practice the Tigers were on the court rain or shine!