2008 Woodie Awards
Youth movement leads tennis in new season
By Alexis Burton
Rocket Staff Writer
Issue date: 3/3/06 Section: Sports Extra
There's a common bond among the men's and women's tennis teams this season: youth.
Of the nine players on the Slippery Rock University men's tennis team, four are freshmen. There are no seniors. On the women's side, five of the team's nine players are freshmen. But this is proving to be no deterrent from the skill that these young athletes possess.
Playing in the No. 1 position for the Rock women is senior team leader Ashley Michaux. She, along with Erika McKenna, is one of two seniors on the team.
Coach Matt Meredith said he expects Michaux to be the all-time wins leader in SRU women's tennis history. This senior veteran is paired with one of the team's outstanding freshmen, Kayla Blackburn, for the doubles.
Together the veteran and the rookie deliver one of the best one-two punches in the conference. Blackburn plays in the No. 2 singles spot on the team.
"I guess that I'm kind of used to playing under pressure," Blackburn said. "It was relatively easy for me to adjust to college tennis."
The No. 3 singles spot is held by a freshman from Colorado. Meredith said he feels Kelli Parnell is one of the best athletes he has ever had at the Rock.
"She knocked my socks off," Meredith said. "Her ability is endless."
Meredith said he has high hopes for her as she matures. The No. 4 ranked Rizzi said she understands pressure at the college level is of high intensity, and pressure comes from all over the world.
"Some girls aren't even from the U.S., so it's hard to compete with competition that is recruited from everywhere," Meredith said.
A player that is always around when the coach needs her is Cristina Rhodes.
"Almost every time I have had to put her in at the No. 6 spot for singles she has won," Meredith said.
Rhodes' speciality is her forehand, which has really come through for the team when it needed it most.
Last, but not least, is Jenna Micsky. She is redshirting for this season because of an injury. But she is building her game for next year and looks to be a contributing part to the team.
Of the nine players on the Slippery Rock University men's tennis team, four are freshmen. There are no seniors. On the women's side, five of the team's nine players are freshmen. But this is proving to be no deterrent from the skill that these young athletes possess.
Playing in the No. 1 position for the Rock women is senior team leader Ashley Michaux. She, along with Erika McKenna, is one of two seniors on the team.
Coach Matt Meredith said he expects Michaux to be the all-time wins leader in SRU women's tennis history. This senior veteran is paired with one of the team's outstanding freshmen, Kayla Blackburn, for the doubles.
Together the veteran and the rookie deliver one of the best one-two punches in the conference. Blackburn plays in the No. 2 singles spot on the team.
"I guess that I'm kind of used to playing under pressure," Blackburn said. "It was relatively easy for me to adjust to college tennis."
The No. 3 singles spot is held by a freshman from Colorado. Meredith said he feels Kelli Parnell is one of the best athletes he has ever had at the Rock.
"She knocked my socks off," Meredith said. "Her ability is endless."
Meredith said he has high hopes for her as she matures. The No. 4 ranked Rizzi said she understands pressure at the college level is of high intensity, and pressure comes from all over the world.
"Some girls aren't even from the U.S., so it's hard to compete with competition that is recruited from everywhere," Meredith said.
A player that is always around when the coach needs her is Cristina Rhodes.
"Almost every time I have had to put her in at the No. 6 spot for singles she has won," Meredith said.
Rhodes' speciality is her forehand, which has really come through for the team when it needed it most.
Last, but not least, is Jenna Micsky. She is redshirting for this season because of an injury. But she is building her game for next year and looks to be a contributing part to the team.
