UCD women’s tennis hopes to net upsets
The UC Davis women’s tennis team finished last season ranked 60th in the Campbell/ITA College rankings.
After splitting their opening matches of 2012 last week, the Aggies have moved up two spots to No. 58. Moreover, they are poised to make some major leaps this weekend as they participate in ITA’s Kickoff Weekend in Knoxville, Tenn.
There are 15 different universities around the country hosting opening rounds of the Kickoff. The champion of each venue qualifies for the ITA National Women’s Indoor Championship in February.
The Aggies opened their two-day indoor tournament against No. 19 Tennessee on Friday at 11 a.m. Later, No. 22 Tulsa faces No. 33 NC State. The winners and losers will square off against each other Saturday.
“The selection was like a draft and they went down the list of ranked teams,” said UCD head coach Bob Maze. “When they got to UC Davis, they said the University of Tennessee has a spot and (No. 6) Georgia had an opening. I tried to go where I thought we had the best shot to win. It’s certainly going to be a challenge.”
UCD flew to Nashville on Thursday afternoon and then had a three-hour drive to Knoxville. After nine hours of travel, the Aggies hit the courts and started getting ready.
“When you go someplace you haven’t been I think it’s exciting,” Maze said. “One nice thing is you get to play teams you’d never get to play.”
The Aggies opened their season Jan. 20 and 21 against familiar foes, Northern Arizona and No. 20 Arizona State. UCD swept the Lumberjacks, 7-0, and gave the Sun Devils a scare before falling 4-3.
“When we played Arizona State last year, we seemed a little intimidated,” Maze said. “We’re a year older and have more confidence. I think they’re excited to play against higher-ranked teams.”
UCD has plenty more opportunities for excitement as it faces second-ranked Stanford on Wednesday, No. 44 Cal Poly on Feb. 12, No. 48 Sacramento State on Feb. 17, No. 38 Long Beach State on March 3 and No. 55 UC Irvine on April 14.
“I made the schedule tougher this year, and I’m wondering if I’ve overdone it,” Maze said with a slight laugh. “You’re only allowed a certain number of dates, and there are certain teams we’ve typically beaten that we couldn’t schedule.”
A tough schedule isn’t going to scare this year’s Aggie squad. Maze has all six starters back on an 11-player roster that is solid from top to bottom.
“I think this is the best team I’ve had at Davis,” the 16th-year coach said. “I think we’re better because (last year’s ) freshmen are a year older; everyone’s a year older.”
Starting for UCD are senior Dahra Zamudio, juniors Lauren Curry and Ellie Edles, and sophomores Megan Heneghan, Kelly Chui and Nicole Koehly. On Wednesday, Chui was named the Big West Conference Player of the Week for her victories over Northern Arizona’s Nicole Perez 6-0, 6-2 and ASU’s Hannah James 6-0, 6-4. Chui also teamed with Heneghan for a doubles win against Northern Arizona.
Rounding out the roster are seniors Zoe Davidson and Noelle Eades, sophomores Melissa Kobayakawa and Phuong An Nguyen-Huu and freshman Layla Sanders.
— Reach Kim Orendor at korendor@davisenterprise.net
Short URL: http://www.davisenterprise.com/?p=130744
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Posted by Kim Orendor
on Jan 26 2012.
Last Login: Tue 22 May 2012 06:35:31 PM PDT
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