2000 Fall Review/2001 Spring Outlook

The University of Southern Indiana women’s tennis teams had one of the best seasons in school history, finishing second in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Screaming Eagles, who will enter the spring season ranked 17^th in the Midwest Region, finished the fall 15-2, 8-1 in the GLVC, and posted an eight-match winning streak.

USI stormed through the first half of its schedule, compiling an 8-0 record and setting up a show down with conference powerhouse Northern Kentucky University. The Eagles started their conference schedule with a pair of rain-shortened wins against Indiana University/Purdue University-Ft. Wayne and the University of Indianapolis.

After a pair of conference wins on the road against Lewis University and Saint Joseph’s College, USI returned home for a pair of GLVC matches. The Eagles started with an 8-1 victory against Bellarmine University before dismantling Kentucky Wesleyan College, 9-0.

Although the Eagles went into the match against Northern Kentucky with an 8-0 record, the Norse proved to be too tough as they defeated the Eagles 7-2. USI would face NKU once more, in the GLVC championship match, but were unsuccessful, dropping the match 5-1.

Junior transfer Michelle Lenahan (Vincennes, Indiana), who was selected All-GLVC, played number one singles for the Eagles and posted a 16-4 record, 7-2 in the GLVC. Lenahan teamed up with sophomore Emily Blinzinger (Oakland City, Indiana) to post a 11-4 doubles record, 7-1 in the GLVC.

Blinzinger, who also earned All-GLVC honors, played number two singles and posted a 16-3 record, 9-0 in the GLVC. With their 16 wins, both Blinzinger and Lenahan set a new school record for individual wins in a season.

USI got solid performances out of senior Kelly Sergesketter (Evansville, Indiana) and freshman Nichole Freyberger (Jasper, Indiana). Sergesketter posted a 11-4 record at number three singles while Freyberger split time at number five and number six singles, posting a 12-2 record. Both were 6-2 against GLVC competition.

Sergesketter teamed up with sophomore Jamie Carie (Washington, Indiana) to produce the most productive doubles’ team in school history. Playing number three doubles, the pair posted a 13-0 record and were 7-0 in the GLVC. Sergesketter, who posted another doubles victory with junior Gwen Gosman (Jasper, Indiana), set a school record for doubles victories (14).

Gosman posted a 7-5 record at number four singles while senior Emily Nall (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) was 9-2 at number five singles.

In singles play, the Eagles posted a combined 74-23 record and were 43-10 in GLVC play. USI posted a combined doubles record of 39-16, 19-8 in the GLVC.     

Despite the success USI enjoyed in singles play, Head Coach Keely Porter sees room for improvement. “We have the most room to improve in doubles play,” Porter stated.

“We won over 70 percent of our doubles pro-sets, but we won most of those from the baseline in a defensive formation,” Porter explained. “I’d like nothing more than to see all three doubles teams serving and attacking by tournament time this spring.”

Although the schedule is not set, USI will play a shortened spring schedule as it will be attempting to make a run at the NCAA Division II Tournament. “Our limited spring schedule will, hopefully, be tough,” Porter said.

“I am not concerned about getting wins this spring,” Porter explained, “but I want to see us play against competitive teams.”

“I believe the players are ready to work this winter,” said Porter. “They do not want to take a break and have been hitting on their own.”

The Eagles should be strong in 2001 as they return seven players from their 2000 roster. Those returning are Blinzinger and Lenahan, Carie, Gosman and Freyberger, freshman Jennie Ravellette and junior Kristy Hite. Hite missed the fall season due to shoulder surgery.

“I was especially pleased with Lenahan and Blinzinger this fall,” Head Coach Keely Porter said. “My recruiting priority is to bring in another player of their caliber. If number three through five singles could move down another position, we will be competitive with Northern Kentucky.”

If the Eagles can recruit within the top three spots in the off season, USI should be a strong contender in the GLVC.

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