2008 Woodie Awards
Tennis star makes mark on program
By Randy Klins
Issue date: 4/1/05 Section: Sports
Most college coaches are aware some players don't always live up to the high expectations they come out of high school with.
Most coaches also know that is not always the case, as many of those top prospects step in right away and have an immediate impact. These coaches know they have talented athletes that just don't slip away. Slippery Rock University tennis coach Matt Meredith is no exception.
Meredith knew standout SRU women's tennis player Ashley Michaux was someone special when she first joined the program in 2002.
"Sometimes the word potential is used," Meredith said. "The nice part is that she has lived up to it."
Michaux has undoubtedly been a dominant tennis player at the Rock. She is 5 feet 10 inches tall and she possesses great coordination skills that many tall athletes don't have. Unbelievable hand speed and great timing also make her the quality player she is.
Michaux believes the way she serves the ball is something that sets her apart from her competition.
"My serve is one of my key components," she said. "I feel it gives me a key advantage."
Meredith said playing when she was younger and preparing for collegiate tennis helped her greatly.
"A lot of time was taken into her game at a young age," Meredith said.
Michaux, a junior, and a graduate of Penn-Trafford High School in Jeannette, Pa., didn't waste much time showing her potential. As a freshman, she earned Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) East Region Rookie of the Year honors.
A year later, Michaux was the Rock's second-ranked player with a record of 24-6 and earned PSAC first-team honors for the second time.
Michaux made a name for herself as a doubles player when she and then doubles partner Jessica Bungo earned All-America honors after going 32-2. Bungo and Michaux won the ITA East Regional and PSAC titles in 2003-2004, leading to a top ten finish in the national tournament. Michaux also helped lead SRU to another NCAA postseason berth.
Most coaches also know that is not always the case, as many of those top prospects step in right away and have an immediate impact. These coaches know they have talented athletes that just don't slip away. Slippery Rock University tennis coach Matt Meredith is no exception.
Meredith knew standout SRU women's tennis player Ashley Michaux was someone special when she first joined the program in 2002.
"Sometimes the word potential is used," Meredith said. "The nice part is that she has lived up to it."
Michaux has undoubtedly been a dominant tennis player at the Rock. She is 5 feet 10 inches tall and she possesses great coordination skills that many tall athletes don't have. Unbelievable hand speed and great timing also make her the quality player she is.
Michaux believes the way she serves the ball is something that sets her apart from her competition.
"My serve is one of my key components," she said. "I feel it gives me a key advantage."
Meredith said playing when she was younger and preparing for collegiate tennis helped her greatly.
"A lot of time was taken into her game at a young age," Meredith said.
Michaux, a junior, and a graduate of Penn-Trafford High School in Jeannette, Pa., didn't waste much time showing her potential. As a freshman, she earned Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) East Region Rookie of the Year honors.
A year later, Michaux was the Rock's second-ranked player with a record of 24-6 and earned PSAC first-team honors for the second time.
Michaux made a name for herself as a doubles player when she and then doubles partner Jessica Bungo earned All-America honors after going 32-2. Bungo and Michaux won the ITA East Regional and PSAC titles in 2003-2004, leading to a top ten finish in the national tournament. Michaux also helped lead SRU to another NCAA postseason berth.
