By Katie Weida
Sports Editor
With an All-Centennial Conference duo returning to the line-up, along with three freshmen, one who made a serious impression at the ITA Southeast Championships this fall, Washington College’s women’s tennis is gearing up for another strong season this spring.
Returning to the line-up are juniors Jordan Finnegan and Brittany Marshall. This powerful pair went undefeated at No. 1 singles last spring, finishing 16-0 while simultaneously earning All-Centennial Conference first-team honors in doubles for the second consecutive year. Finishing last season ranked 22nd in Division III and sixth in the Atlantic South region in doubles, they will enter this season ranked eighth in the region in doubles.
Additionally, Finnegan was a first-team All-Centennial Conference selection in singles for the second consecutive year with a record of 12-4 at No. 1. Marshall was on the second-team for All-Centennial singles, with a record of 9-4 at No. 2.
Freshman Amanda Bercovici made a name for herself at ITA Southeast Regionals in September, making it to the quarterfinals. She will begin this season ranked 12th in the region in singles.
Sophomore Campbell McNicol, who went 9-3 at No. 4 and sophomore Kat Cohen, who went 9-3 at No. 5 return for their second year. Sophomore Kelsey Mills finished last season play at No. 6 singles and with Cohen at No. 3 doubles. In addition to Bercovici, Bethany Daller and Amy Stevens join the team as freshmen.
Finnegan and Marshall are both looking forward to the upcoming season, especially after working so hard in the off-season. Marshall said, “We have worked more on our singles and doubles game. Also on conditioning technique and our studies!”
Even though they have a young squad, Finnegan and Marshall agree that their freshmen will make a great contribution to the team. Finnegan said, “just like last year, there will be freshmen starting in our lineup and making a strong impact on the success our team can potentially experience. Last year we only had two returners, so it is not unusual for our team to have such young players.”
Finnegan also expresses her high expectations for the team this year. “I expect our team to continue building. I think we are more than capable in contending for a spot in the conference tournament. Hopefully Brittany and I will not only improve upon our national ranking as a doubles pair, but will also qualify for NCAA’s.”
Marshall said, “our goals this season are to improve our regional ranking as a team, also to contend for the conference title and be nationally ranked both as a team and individuals!”
Shorewomen’s first match of the spring will take place March 13 at Averett University in Danville, VA.
March 4, 2011
Volume LXXXI Issue 17