7 Veterans Return

CLARION WOMEN’S TENNIS READY FOR FALL SEASON

            Already sporting a 2-0 record this Fall, the Clarion University Women’s Tennis Team hosts  its home opener for the 2005 season on Saturday, September 10^th against St. Vincent. Match time is set for 11am at Campbell Courts.

            The Golden Eagles are coming off a strong 2004-05 campaign with the team posting a 10-4 overall record. The Eagles were 6-1 last Fall and 4-3 in the Spring. Directing the Eagles again will be sixth year head coach Lori Sabatose.

Returning seven players from 2005 the Eagles once again have high hopes for this season.  “We defiantly have a tougher schedule this year, which will make us more competitive with the other PSAC schools,” says Sabatose.  The Eagles added one Division I team and a few nationally ranked Division II teams to this year’s schedule.  “With our tougher fall schedule we hope to do well in dual matches which will prepare us for the regional tournament,” said Sabatose.

ROMBACH AND JACK RETURN AS CAPTAINS FOR 2005-06

            Corin Rombach (So. Prattsburgh, N.Y.) and Kristen Jack (Jr. Lower Burrell) lead the team as captains again this year.  “Corry and Kristen are outstanding leaders,” says Sabatose, “they motivate the other players and the team responds well to them.  Not only do Rombach and Jack work well off the court but they also work well on the court as the Eagles # 1 doubles team. “Cori and Kristen are the perfect match,” says Sabatose. 

            Rombach posted a singles record of 9-6 last season and a doubles record of 5-6. She was voted PSAC West “Rookie of the year” and was also named to the All PSAC West first team.  “Cori has played in tournaments all summer to work on her match play for this season,” says Sabatose.  As she did last year, Rombach will lead the Eagles in the #1 position for singles and also for doubles along with partner Kristen Jack. 

            Jack posted a singles record of 8-5 last season and a doubles record of 9-5.  “Kristen also played all summer to keep in shape and to improve her match play’” said Sabatose.  Jack will move from the # 3 singles position to the # 2 position this year and will move from the #2 doubles team to the #1 doubles team with partner Corin Rombach.

FOUR RETURNERS CLOSE OUT TOP SIX FOR THE EAGLES

            Finishing out the top six will be Emily Berry (So. Struthers, Ohio), Lisa Baumgartner (So. W. Middlesex – Wilmington), Amy Robertson ( So. York – West York) and Megan Robertson (So. York – West York).  “All of our women have returned in great condition. All of our top six players have been playing all summer to help improve their match play. The team is much stronger this year due to the amount of play  in the off season.”

            Berry finished last season with a singles record of 13-4 and a doubles record of 7-8.  This season she will move to the #3 singles position and the #2 doubles position with partner Lisa Baumgartner.  Baumgartner finished last season with a singles record of 13-1 and a doubles record of 7-2.  She was name to the All PSAC West first team along with teammate Corin Rombach.  This season she will be playing at # 4 singles and will be partnered up with Emily Berry at #2 doubles.

            Amy Robertson finished last season with a doubles record of 8-0.  A. Robertson will be playing at the # 5 singles position and the #3 doubles position along with her sister Megan Robertson.  Megan Robertson finished last season with a doubles record of 1-0 last season.  She will close out the top six and play #3 doubles with her sister.

Fighting for top six positions are Jackie Herbstritt (Jr. St. Marys – ECC), Jessica Lowden (Sr. Grove City) and newcomers Anna Forbes (Fr. Warren) and Jessica Hogue (So. Hermitage – Hickory). “They bring great attitude and enthusiasm to the team,” reflected Sabatose. “We are going to have weekly singles challenges, the line-ups are always open for different players to step up,” Sabatose added.

            Herbstritt was 1-0 last Fall in singles action and is battling to try and get into the lineup.

            Lowden, a talented veteran, was 1-0 in singles and 4-0 in doubles play last Fall, but sat out the Spring. In the Spring of 2004 Jessica was 9-1 in singles (#3-#5) and 4-6 at #2 doubles. She may sit out this Fall, but is likely to return to the lineup in the Spring.

CLARION NOTES: Sabatose is in her sixth year as Clarion’s head coach… Last year’s team was 10-4, while the 2004 team was 10-10 overall… The 2003 team was 9-6 overall and 5^th at the PSAC’s… She has been the head coach at Clarion from 2003-2006, and in 1999 and 2000. She was named the 2004 USTA Allegheny Mountain District College “Coach of the Year”.

By: Erin Dugan