Women's Tennis News

2008-2009 Women's Tennis Outlook

As told by head women's tennis coach, Peter Howell:

We are excited about the 2008-2009 Oglethorpe University’s Women’s tennis Team. We lost 4 players from last year due to graduation and will be a very young team. Last year we were 7-12 and moved up a spot in the conference to 10th.  We played 3 nationally ranked teams and 9 regionally ranked. We look to improve on last year.

Jr Captain Kim O’Dell returns for her third year and will provide great leadership. She played #4 singles and #1 doubles.  Jr. two–sport athlete Ali Burt also returns after her fine volleyball season and has improved with a year of experience. She played all over the line up and will definitely help us this spring. Sophomore Molly Colvard had a fine season at #3 last year and looks to hold her spot although much improved. Sophomores LaDonna Barnes and Kayla Atkins also return and vie for playing spots.

We have 4 new players joining the Stormy Petrels. Jr. transfer Sarah Beth Britt played two years for Young Harris at #1 singles and will hold down one of the top positions. Fr. Jayme Danielson is solid and will also compete for the top of the lineup. With experience she will continue to develop into a very good player for us. Freshman Lauren Heusel has shown good upside potential this fall and looks to find a spot in the top 6. Freshman Sarah Duff also showed great promise this fall and played well in the ITA’s. She will also compete for a top six position.

We are a young team that will have to grow up fast. Sarah Beth and Jaymie will battle for the top positions with Molly slightly behind. After that, it will be whoever steps up between Kim, Ali, Lauren, Sarah, Ladonna, and Kayla. It will be a competitive Spring!

Doubles will be an ongoing project. Right now possibilities are #1 Sarah Beth & Molly; #2Jaymie and Kim, and Lauren & Ali at #3. However, these will change as team chemistry develops.

Our schedule is tough for this young team. We will play nationally ranked Rhodes and Sewanee; regionally ranked Centre, BSC, Mississippi College, Huntingdon, and Southwestern. We have 10 home matches and trips to Sewanee, Montgomery, Memphis, and N. Little Rock for the conference championships. We look to improve on last year’s record and improve in this very solid tennis Conference. Our players have bonded well this fall, and will show great heart and determination as we get into the spring.