Bloomsburg University Women's Tennis Preview
BLOOMSBURG- The Bloomsburg University women's tennis team will begin its Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) schedule on March 29 at Millersville University. The team recently completed a successful Spring break trip in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
The Huskies, three-time defending PSAC Champions, are already 5-0 this Spring season and look to once again be the team to beat in the PSAC. "We are as good this year as we have been the past three years," said Bloomsburg head coach Marty Coyne. Bloomsburg holds an 8-1 record combined in the spring and fall seasons.
The Huskies are led by a strong senior class of Iida Hokkanen (Helskini, Finland), Emily Murphy (Worcester/ Methacton), Jaclyn Kelly (Havertown/ Haverford), and Emily Pratt (New Hope/ New-Hope-Solebury).
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Hokkanen, the captain of the 2007 squad, holds a career singles record of 43-41 and is 7-4 so far this season. "She's the leader of the team", added Coyne. "Everyone looks to her for guidance." Murphy is coming off her best season this fall and will be a key member of the team once again this season. She is 10-4 this season and has a career singles record of 58-34. The two will also team up primarily at number 1 doubles, where they are already 2-1 so far this season.
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Kelly and Pratt will provide valuable depth to the team. "Both are hard workers and will continue push those in front of them, noted Coyne." The two have teamed up as doubles partners several times this season and hold a 3-1 record.
Other key players include juniors Torie Cunningham (Greenlawn, NY/ Harborfields) and Tracy Nissenbaum (Allentown/ William Allen) and freshmen Allison Carney (Muncy/ Muncy) and Katie Hasyn (Lansdale/ North Penn).
"Cunningham is a solid player who can play anywhere in the lineup", Coyne said. She is off to a fast start so far this season, going 10-1 in singles play and will see time anywhere from number 1 to number 4 singles.
Nissenbaum will be starting in singles for the first time this season. "She has picked up her game and is striking the ball very well", Coyne said. "She has always been a good doubles player and now will look to contribute in singles as well." Nissenbaum is 7-2 this season, playing primarily at 5 and 6 singles.
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Hasyn has worked hard in the off-season, spending 4-5 hours a day on the court. "She has excellent practice habits and is committed to winning", added Coyne. She is 9-4 this season, including two wins at number 1 singles.
Carney is coming from a school where there was no tennis team and she has improved greatly throughout the off-season. She will see the majority of her time at 5 and 6 singles. She is 10-3 in singles play this year.
In the PSAC, the Huskies will see tough competition from California (PA), their rivals from the Western division, who are ranked seventh nationally and handed the Huskies their only loss this season. Other top teams in the conference include Slippery Rock and Millersville.
Last season the Huskies qualified for the NCAA Final 16, losing to Tarleton State in the opening round. Coyne and the Huskies are optimistic that this season will bring a return visit to the national championships.