2007 Women's Tennis Season Outlook

Guilford's women's tennis team is coming off of its most successful campaign since 1998. The 2005-06 Quakers posted a 10-5 overall record oand placed seventh at the ODAC Tournament. Five letter winners return from last year's squad that recorded the Quakers most wins since 1997.

Guilford began the 2006 season with four straight victories, including wins over cross town rival Greensboro and conference- rival Lynchburg that snapped a six-year losing streak to the Hornets. The Quakers also upended Randolph-Macon for their first win over the Yellow Jackets since 1997.

Guilford looks to build upon last season's success with its veterans leading the way. Their leadership gives the Quakers an experienced core of student-athletes for the next two seasons.

Here is a preview of the Quakers by class:

JUNIORS: Captain Krystal Parrish returns to the middle of the Quakers' lineup in singles and looks to pair with sophomore Nika Botkin at first doubles. Parrish, who played fourth singles in 2006, worked in the fall season on the mental aspect of her game and hopes to challenge for third singles this spring. Classmate Caitlin Mayton, who was used sparingly at sixth singles in 2006, looks to challenge once again at sixth singles, and continue her strong play at second doubles.

SOPHOMORES: Botkin returns to the Quakers' lineup at both first singles and first doubles. Her year of experience playing in the first flight as a freshman helped prepare her for 2006-07. Hilary Routon returns at fifth singles and is one of two veterans who sported a winning singles record in 2006. She will also challenge at third doubles. Lia Williams joined the Quakers in January and immediately made an impact at second singles. She also contributed at both first and second doubles. After the fall season, Williams should challenge for a middle singles flight and at third doubles.

 

FRESHMEN: Two freshmen join the Quakers this year. Megan Fair impressed Anderson this fall with her ability to adapt her game to college-level and improve her technique. Fair should challenge at sixth singles and third doubles this season. Morgan Howard, ranked 4.0 by the USTA coming out of high school, also joins the Quakers rotation as a singles and doubles player.

Guilford opens the 2007 season on the road at Peace March 2. Guilford returns home Saturday March 3 to open the ODAC season against Bridgewater. Washington and Lee hosts the 2007 ODAC Women's Tennis Championships, which features a new team format. Instead of indivdual flights, the tournament will consist of a single team bracket with seeds based on the regular season conference record. The ODAC will sponsor a tournament in tennis' fall season to recognize indivdual superlatives and flight champions.