Sept. 19, 2000
THIS WEEK: The Cougars will compete against eleven other teams, including the host University of Alabama at the "Roberta Allison Invitational" in Tuscaloosa, Ala. this weekend.
This invitational will be one of the largest the Cougars will compete in this season. It will feature many teams from the SEC, including Auburn, Mississippi, and Mississippi State. There will be nine flights of singles and four flights of doubles.
SOUTH ALABAMA LOOKS STRONG: The University of South Alabama will be one of the many teams competing in the invitational. Currently, they have four nationally ranked singles players, and two nationally ranked doubles teams, including seniors Martina Ondrejkora and Iva Puflerova who are ranked 2nd in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings.
PERKINS RETURNS: Erica Perkins (Seattle, Wash.) will be returning to the Cougar lineup with weekend, and the Cougars will be looking to her for leadership. Perkins is ranked 79th nationally in the ITA rankings.
COACH GROCE ON PERKINS' RETURN:"Physical fitness-wise she looks great. I think match toughness is what we're looking for, and she hasn't played a match for a long time. She's been playing in practice, but that's a lot different. Erica needs to get back in and get her feet wet before she can set any expectations on herself. I think these will be good matches for her." GROCE ON ANA MOURA'S PERFORMANCE: "I think Ana's been hitting the ball really well. I expect her to perform well in the No. 2 flight." DOUBLES PLAY: With four new freshman recruits, the Cougars will be experimenting with their doubles combinations for the next two invitationals. They expect to have the doubles teams set before the Cougar Classic, Oct. 6-8. COACH GROCE ON SEASON OUTLOOK: "I think the team is working well together. We have some very talented freshman, and we are excited to see them in action. There is a lot of enthusiasm, positive attitudes and a lot of positive things are happening in practice."
ARIAS INJURIED: Freshman Lorena Arias (Tlalnepantla, Mexico) injured her right knee shortly before coming to WSU. She will not be making this week's trip with the team, but is expected to be back in the lineup within the next couple of weeks. NEXT WEEK: The WSU women's tennis team will be travelling to Provo, Utah Sept. 23-30, to compete in the BYU Invitational. |
