Jan. 9, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill.--The most surprising aspect of Northwestern's women's tennis team winning five-straight Big Ten championships?
The fact that the team never expected to win them.
"We always set the goal to win the Big Ten title, although we never expect to win it," says head coach Claire Pollard. "We are always very grateful when we do win it, and I think it is well within our capabilities. We will be working hard for it, but we are not taking anything for granted."
Although it is somewhat understandable that the team does not expect to claim its sixth title this year--after all, no one likes a boastful winner--the 'Cats should at least know the odds are in their favor. This is a Wildcat squad that returns eight letterwinners, including Big Ten Freshman of the Year/Player of the Year Cristelle Grier. As a whole, they were ranked 19th in the final 2003 ITA poll, and they have lost just five regular season, Big Ten dual matches in the last five years.
This season Pollard would like for her team to advance to at least the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament, something the 'Cats have not done in her five years as head coach. She hopes the team's previous successes and experiences will help them achieve this goal.
The road to the postseason begins with the non-conference schedule. As usual, Pollard has made it a strong one, as NU will face William & Mary, Duke and North Carolina on the road. Fortunately for the Wildcats, they have numerous home matches in the mix.
In all, the non-conference schedule will provide, according to Pollard, a "good balance between matches we know we can win, and matches that would exceed our expectations if we won."
"I try not to emphasis any one match over another, as they are all important," adds Pollard. "They all serve a purpose in our team's development."
As for the Big Ten Conference, the coach believes the league has improved as a whole, and it will be the deepest league in the last five years. Because of that, the Wildcats seek to not only challenge others but also be challenged this year.
"We try to downplay the fact that we have won the last five Big Ten titles," says Pollard. "Whether we are the favorites or not, we just worry about ourselves."
A look into the 2004 roster should not provide too many concerns.
At the top of the lineup is Grier, a sophomore who was selected ITA National Player to watch, among several other honors. Last season she posted a 38-7 overall record (10-0 Big Ten), which tied a school record for most wins in a season.
"It will be hard for Cristelle to duplicate the success she had last year," says Pollard. "But having said that, I think she is a better player than she was a year ago."
Already that last statement rings true. This fall, Grier defended her title at the ITA Midwest Championships and posted a 10-2 record. She also teamed with Jessica Rush to win the doubles titles at the ITA Midwest and National Indoor Championships.
"Jessica and Cristelle will not only make for a great one-two punch in singles," says Pollard. "But also a strong doubles pair, especially considering the success they have had."
Rush will be making her second-straight start at No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles. The senior also posted a perfect 10-0 mark in the Big Ten last year, and she reached her 100th career win this fall (102-38 overall).
Another sophomore who had an outstanding freshman year was Jamie Peisel. In 2003, Peisel put up 34 wins, the second-most on the team, as well as advanced to the semifinals of the ITA Midwest Championships.
"The sophomore class will have a difficult task of replicating and improving on the incredible success they had as freshmen," says Pollard. "However, I think the work Jamie has put in to improve her game will pay off this season."
A couple of other Wildcats that can make an impact in 2004 are junior Andrea Yung and senior Ruth Barnes. The two combined for 50 wins in singles and 12 wins in doubles last season.
"I am looking for more stability from Andrea, and for her to use the experience she has gained over the years to help us out," says Pollard. "As for Ruth, she has had a good career at NU, and I am looking forward to her best year."
Other returnees from last year's team include senior Stacy Kokx, whom Pollard named the MVP of the 2003 Big Ten tournament; sophomore Kristi Roemer, the winner of the third flight of this year's Wildcat Invitational; and senior Connie Chiang, who put together a 7-4 fall season.
Two newcomers will round out the 2004 roster. Alexis Prousis hails from nearby Lake Forest, Ill., where she helped her high school team win state titles her junior and senior seasons. Prousis compiled a 7-4 record this fall and has made an immediate impact on the team.
"Alexis has a phenomenal work ethic," says Pollard. "She will add a lot to our doubles lineup, and her singles play is even better. She definitely has a chance to be a starter."
Classmate Georgie Wolffer of Sagaponack, N.Y. is considered by Pollard as a dynamic, all-court player who brings a lot of athleticism and enthusiasm into the program. Wolffer played No. 1 singles in high school, where she was a two-time team MVP.
The freshmen, as well as the upperclassmen, will have a new experience in store for them as Northwestern will play host to the 2004 Big Ten Championship.
"I like the fact that it is here," says Pollard. "I am excited to play in front of a home crowd. I know we will run a first-class event, which I think is important to experience as a student-athlete."
For the Wildcats, experiencing another Big Ten title might be better--just don't think they are expecting to win it.