Jan. 15, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern women's tennis coach Claire Pollard's teams have won four Big Ten titles in a row, and the last time the Wildcats lost a regular-season conference match her seniors were freshmen.
Pollard's squads also have reached NCAA round of 16 three straight times, and last year the 'Cats were bounced by the top-seeded team.
Pollard lost two women from last year's powerhouse club to graduation-one of whom departed four wins shy of becoming the all-time leader in singles victories, and another who had the best winning percentage on the team last year.
With all this in mind, how did Pollard approach the 2003 season?
By putting the onus on her players.
"We did something different this year," she said. "Usually we wait a week or so before we set our team goal, but this year we asked each player to write what her goal was on the first day of practice."
"Nine out of 12 players wrote the same goal: 'Win the NCAA Championship.' That is now our goal. We talked to the three women who did not write win the NCAAs and made sure they were on board.
"This was a goal that was set by the players, not the coaches." A nucleus is in place to make some noise again in the conference, and certainly nationally. However, Pollard stresses that NU's success will be a team effort.
"When I inherited this program, it had very strong personalities," she said. "This year we do not have one strong, outspoken leader, but I think that will encourage many people to lead and not just let one person lead while the others back off. Each woman brings something different and special to the table, and contributes in her own way."
A good place to start is with senior Marine Piriou. The Frenchwoman played at No. 1 last year and compiled a 9-1 record, and at the end of the campaign she was named Big Ten Player of the Year as well as ITA Region IV "Player to Watch." A nationally ranked player throughout last season, Piriou figures to be the woman everybody guns for in 2003.
"The experience of playing at No. 1 was eye-opening for her," said Pollard. "She now understands what it takes to be an elite college player."
Jessica Rush, a junior, fashioned a 19-5 mark playing No. 3 on the ladder last year, and like Piriou she was 9-1 in the Big Ten. Rush and Piriou also teamed up in doubles to go 24-5 (10-0 Big Ten) and compete in the NCAA Doubles Championships last year.
"Jessica is the kind of player who, whatever you ask of her, will commit to that task and do it for you," said Pollard. "The higher you set the bar for her, the more she will achieve. I think Jessica is underestimated by a lot of people, but at the end of the day she gets the job done."
Andrea Yung was a solid No. 5 for the Wildcats last year with an 8-2 Big Ten ledger. This year, Pollard is looking for that much more from her sophomore phenom.
"I am expecting big things from Andrea this year," said Pollard. "She got her feet wet last year and figured out what it takes to succeed. She will challenge for a higher spot this year."
The fourth returning regular from last year's ladder is Ruth Barnes. Playing at No. 6, Barnes went 19-9 in dual matches and, like Yung, went 8-2 in the conference. The Englishwoman is another player who could step up and surprise people in 2003.
"Ruth was a solid No. 6 last year-she found out that she could handle the pressures of playing great tennis. She has matured and is looking forward to competing for a spot rather than backing away from it. She will fight for a higher spot this year."
Three returnees saw match time during the fall season and are looking to climb the ladder this spring: Stacy Kokx, Connie Chiang and Kristi Roemer.
"Last year was difficult for Stacy, because she played a few matches and then was out of the lineup. It was no discredit to her-we just had a great team," said Pollard. "Connie is a phenomenal athlete who has spent a lot of time working on the technical aspects of the game. She will surprise a lot of people. Kristi spent last year adjusting to being an elite player, and when she puts it all together it will make my life miserable because she is another person contending for a top spot."
Pollard certainly has a headache finding spots for all of the returning players, but she only added to her own problems-if you can call it a problem-by bringing in a pair of top-notch players.
Freshmen Cristelle Grier and Jamie Peisel are looking to step in and make an immediate impact in their first years. Grier has already made a statement: during the fall, she competed in the Omni Hotels National Indoor Championships and scored the tourney's biggest upset by knocking off the No. 2 seed in the first round. In addition, Grier defeated Piriou in the finals to win the ITA Midwest Regional Championships.
"Cristelle will battle for a top spot right away," said Pollard. "She spent last year on the professional tour as an amateur, she has excellent leadership abilities and a good work ethic. Jamie had an impressive summer, and I see her contending for a spot in the middle of the lineup. She is committed to doing her part for the team."
With this glut of talent, Pollard understands that the bull's-eye is squarely on her squad.
"We would love to win the Big Ten again and continue our domination, but we are also aware that it gets harder and harder," she said. "We have a lot of respect for everyone in the conference and we take no one for granted-every team is getting better every year. At the same time, we relish the opportunity to be the hunted and hopefully keep everyone at bay."
While Pollard's team may be the hunted-again-in the Big Ten, the Wildcats will go on the prowl this season out of conference. That has become a signature of this program: for example, last year the 'Cats faced eight ranked nonconference teams, including five that were ranked in the top 10. The message is clear: if you want to be the best, you have to play against the best.
"We created a schedule that give us the opportunity to sling the arrows instead of wear the bull's-eye," said Pollard. "We hope to add to the impressive resume we have built here by knocking off some teams we have not been able to beat in the past."
As Pollard looks at 2003, she has a problem-one every coach would love to have.
"Everyone on this team has the chance to play," she said. "There are women on the team who do not want to relinquish their spots, and have stepped up their competitive level. This year we will have a more competitive environment."
Hey, when you set the bar high-or at its highest-isn't that supposed to be the case?