May 19, 2004
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
The Santa Clara University women's tennis team recently completed its season, posting a 12-12 record. Under first-year coach Tricia Guidace, the Broncos have not had a losing season in the last eight years. A few season highlights:
The Broncos placed fourth at the West Coast Conference Championships, hosted by Saint Mary's in Moraga. Santa Clara opened the tournament with a 4-3 win over the host Gaels, clinched by freshman Erika Barnes in three sets. The league honored four Broncos for outstanding play all season, naming junior Janalle Kaloi and freshman Kelly Leathers to the honorable mention All-WCC singles squad. Two doubles teams also received honorable mention All-WCC recognition: Kaloi/junior Catherine Cochrane and Leathers/Barnes.
Janalle Kaloi improved her place in Santa Clara history, moving up the ranks in the school record books. She is currently sixth in all-time singles victories, with 49 and seventh in combined doubles wins with 47. Two freshmen made an impact in the program's single-season marks. Kelly Leathers led the team with 17 singles wins, tying for eighth best for one campaign. She and doubles partner Erika Barnes won 14 matches as a duo, tying for seventh best in program history.
The Broncos said goodbye to one senior, co-captain Jenny Siegel. Siegel has been a role model for the past four years, dedicating her college career to the success of this program. A team leader, and tough competitors, Siegel posted 10 singles and 28 doubles victories in her four-year career.
The squad celebrated the season at an annual banquet held in conjunction with the Broncos' participation at the WCC Championship. Junior Janalle Kaloi was named the team's Most Valuable Player, while sophomore Jessie Strunk received the Most Improved Player honor. The Rookie of the Year award was presented to freshman Kelly Leathers, and Most Inspirational was given to sophomore Kristen Ruso.
The Bronco program again challenged itself by scheduling tough opponents in 2004, including six squads ranked nationally by the ITA. Four of those matches were on the road; Santa Clara visited top-ranked Stanford and No. 3 California in the Bay Area, as well as No. 38 Sacramento State and No. 41 San Diego. The Broncos opened the season against 63rd-ranked Cal Poly and earned a holiday treat on Valentine's Day with a 6-1 win over No. 75 UC Riverside.
Santa Clara went 8-3 at the Degheri Tennis Center, including a 4-0 run in March, with wins over Davidson College, Nevada, CS Northridge and Gonzaga.
