Jan. 10, 2008
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara women's tennis team begins regular season play this Sunday at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Calif. During the fall the Broncos participated in several tournaments and had good success against opponents that they will see in the regular season. The fall also allowed the freshmen to experience the collegiate level of competition, which will benefit them during the regular season.
This year seniors Myra Davoudi and Lindsay McBride, and junior Stephanie Galainena have taken on stronger leadership roles both on and off the court. Not only with their experience at the collegiate level, but also in aiding in transitioning the freshmen into the Bronco program.
"I am very proud of the way the upperclassmen have taken on leadership roles this season," said Coach Ben Cabell. "They went from being the underclassmen themselves; to taking the freshmen under their wing and helping them progress."
As for this weekend the Broncos have been working hard in practice to prepare for Cal Poly, despite an injury to freshman starter Andrea Kwong.
"We feel really good and are excited about this weekend," said Cabell. "We have a really young team so it will be interesting to see how they do in their first dual match against another team. They did very well in the fall and I expect that they will do well this weekend."
The team expects Cal Poly to be strong competitors, but they are ready to begin the regular season.
"I am a little nervous about this weekend, but we have been working hard and faced some great competitors in the fall, which I think has helped prepare all of us for the regular season," said Galainena.
Not only will the upperclassmen be called on to perform, but several of the freshmen have earned starting roles, including Carmen Pham.
"I am excited for the season to begin," said Pham. "I think that we will be able to see where we all are at after this weekend, and then set our season goals and expectations."
Play begins at 11 a.m. on Sunday January 13, at Cal Poly. The Broncos return to action the following week at the University of Arizona on January 22.
