You could define a season by its triumphs or its challenges. You could listen to coaches and players riff about the heart and camaraderie of a short-handed tennis team. For them to struggle would be expected, to learn they thrive would be surprising.
The 2008 UC Santa Cruz women's tennis team has overcome the adversity of being a small team with a taxing schedule.
On Saturday April 12, the Slugs defeated visiting Chapman University 5-0. The win improved their DIII record to 7-1.
Last year, Chapman University arrived in Santa Cruz prepared to end the Slug's hopes of a national tournament bid- they almost did so by defeating UCSC. Despite the loss, Santa Cruz went on to qualify for nationals. They made it passed the first round of play, before losing in the second. The Slug's expect to build on the experience of last season.
"The goal is to become a champion," Senior Chayla Furlong said. "Off the court and on, to carry oneself in a demeanor fitting of a winner- winning is a mentality."
Collegiate women's tennis matches are formatted into three doubles matches and six singles matches with 1 point awarded to the winning players team. The first team to reach 5 points wins.
On Saturday, playing Chapman University at home with a team of six, UCSC took an early 3-0 lead.
Jessica Ruth and Megan Sweeney, the 3rd best doubles team in the region, playing against Chapman's Elizabeth Louis and Kelly Fox, ignited an early and decisive win. Ruth and Sweeney won their match 8-3.
Furlong, teaming with lone freshman Taylor Mannix won 8-4 and sophomore's Kyla Rowe and Chrissy Nicholl- completed the doubles round sweep with a dominant 8-3 victory.
At intermission, leading 3-0, the Slug's knew that two singles victories out of six would end Chapman's hopes for the afternoon.
"We have to come out fighting," head coach Erin Ness said. "We don't have the luxury of any mental vacations."
Sweeney quickly made the score 4-0 by defeating Fox in two straight sets. Furlong clinched the win a few minutes later.
The Slug's victory over Chapman University is impressive because the team is comprised of only three seniors, two sophomores and a freshman.
Championship teams are gauged by their response to adversity, as much as, if not more than success. The usual women's tennis team is made up of around ten players; many DI schools carry more players and upperclassmen.
"This is a special team," Ness said. "They play every match with heart, if we can come out and play every match with the same intensity as today, we'll make the elite 8."
Jessica Ruth, a three-year vet and the number 4 singles player in the western region, leads a team determined to exceed expectations.
"One of our struggles has been having a short-handed team," Ruth said. " [But] this is by far the strongest team we've had since I've been here."
As their regular season comes to a close, the team's attention will be narrowly focused toward post-season play.
"Such a commanding win over Chapman," Sweeney said. "Will really push us strongly toward nationals."
The 2008 UC Santa Cruz women's tennis team has overcome the adversity of being a small team with a taxing schedule.
On Saturday April 12, the Slugs defeated visiting Chapman University 5-0. The win improved their DIII record to 7-1.
Last year, Chapman University arrived in Santa Cruz prepared to end the Slug's hopes of a national tournament bid- they almost did so by defeating UCSC. Despite the loss, Santa Cruz went on to qualify for nationals. They made it passed the first round of play, before losing in the second. The Slug's expect to build on the experience of last season.
"The goal is to become a champion," Senior Chayla Furlong said. "Off the court and on, to carry oneself in a demeanor fitting of a winner- winning is a mentality."
Collegiate women's tennis matches are formatted into three doubles matches and six singles matches with 1 point awarded to the winning players team. The first team to reach 5 points wins.
On Saturday, playing Chapman University at home with a team of six, UCSC took an early 3-0 lead.
Jessica Ruth and Megan Sweeney, the 3rd best doubles team in the region, playing against Chapman's Elizabeth Louis and Kelly Fox, ignited an early and decisive win. Ruth and Sweeney won their match 8-3.
Furlong, teaming with lone freshman Taylor Mannix won 8-4 and sophomore's Kyla Rowe and Chrissy Nicholl- completed the doubles round sweep with a dominant 8-3 victory.
At intermission, leading 3-0, the Slug's knew that two singles victories out of six would end Chapman's hopes for the afternoon.
"We have to come out fighting," head coach Erin Ness said. "We don't have the luxury of any mental vacations."
Sweeney quickly made the score 4-0 by defeating Fox in two straight sets. Furlong clinched the win a few minutes later.
The Slug's victory over Chapman University is impressive because the team is comprised of only three seniors, two sophomores and a freshman.
Championship teams are gauged by their response to adversity, as much as, if not more than success. The usual women's tennis team is made up of around ten players; many DI schools carry more players and upperclassmen.
"This is a special team," Ness said. "They play every match with heart, if we can come out and play every match with the same intensity as today, we'll make the elite 8."
Jessica Ruth, a three-year vet and the number 4 singles player in the western region, leads a team determined to exceed expectations.
"One of our struggles has been having a short-handed team," Ruth said. " [But] this is by far the strongest team we've had since I've been here."
As their regular season comes to a close, the team's attention will be narrowly focused toward post-season play.
"Such a commanding win over Chapman," Sweeney said. "Will really push us strongly toward nationals."
