2007 season preview

August 28, 2007

NORTON, MA- Wheaton College women's tennis coach Lynn Miller enters the fall of 2007 with perhaps one of the greatest challenges of her 28-year tenure at the school. Being dealt a hand that includes losing two starters to graduation, two to study abroad programs and the team's ace for personal reasons, Miller's charge includes unifying a team with more newcomers than returners.

"To lose five starters in one year's time is disappointing," said Miller, "but I'm also an experienced coach, so I need to figure out a way to get everyone playing up. I didn't expect to be in this situation, but it's beyond my control. One of the challenges thus far has been trying to run practices to meet everyone's needs because it's such a broad range."

Returning one senior and a pair of sophomores from a team that went 11-5 overall and 3-4 in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) a year ago, Miller also welcomes five newcomers to this fall's eight-member squad. Despite the unknown entering the season, the Lyons hope to extend their streak of a .500 record or better to 10 seasons.

"It's been four years since having a season with more newcomers than returners," stated Miller. "Obviously, when you have a lot of freshmen it's an unpredictable situation. We have some freshmen who are very strong and will be playing on top of the lineup. The success we have will be dictated by our learning curve and staying healthy."

Joining Miller on staff are second-year assistants Bill Sadlowski, Chuck Straley and Ian Watson. The quartet of coaches will rely on senior captain Maya Milic-Strkalj (Philadelphia, PA/Friends' Central School) for veteran leadership. Milic-Strkalj, who is expected to start at fifth singles and second doubles, went 8-5 in singles last year. She was a perfect 6-0 in the sixth position while also earning six doubles wins.

Joining Milic-Strkalj on the list of returning players are sophomores Katherine Knies (Purdys, NY/North Salem) and Alexandra Magee (Abington, PA/Saint Stephen's Episcopal School). Knies is coming off an impressive freshman campaign that included a 12-7 singles mark and eight doubles victories. Expected to move up a position to number three while pairing up with Milic-Strkalj at second doubles this year, Knies posted a 9-5 mark in the fourth slot last season. Magee saw limited action during her first year and is expected to play exhibition heading into her sophomore season.

Miller expects her top two singles positions to be filled by freshmen Sarah Geocaris (Newport Beach, CA/Sage Hill School) and Catherine Teague (Manchester, NH/Central). Teague, who picked up the triple crown of singles, doubles and team state championships as a senior, has solidified the top spot. Geocaris, who was an all-league player each of her four years in high school, slides into the second singles slot and will side with Teague at top doubles.

Freshman Ellen Van Faasen (Manchester, MA/Manchester Essex Regional) is likely to start at number four, while the nod at sixth singles will probably go to classmate Chelsea Cordes (Jamestown, RI/North Kingstown). Cordes and Van Faasen are expected to round out the doubles contingent at number three. Along with Magee, sophomore newcomer Caralina O'Connell (Norwalk, CT/Brien McMahon) will mostly play exhibition and may see spot starts.

The fall season is set to begin on Friday, August 31 with a home match against Salve Regina University. A visit to Clark University on September 8 marks Wheaton's conference opener, while the NEWMAC Tournament begins on October 27. In the spring, four or five matches will highlight the docket in Hilton Head, South Carolina, where juniors Mallory Farmer (Washington, CT/The Gunnery) and Oriana Federico (Andover, MA/Lawrence Academy) are expected to return to the team following their semesters abroad this fall.

This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 7/31/08.
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