The women's tennis team will open their spring season at the VCU 4-1 tournament. The Patriots will play two matches on Sunday, against Howard at 1:00 p.m. and host VCU at 5:30 p.m. in Richmond.
The 2014-15 George Mason women's tennis team is going through a bit of a youth movement. The Patriots have no seniors and have seven underclassman on the 10 player roster.
However, the seven returners, three juniors and four sophomores, have already made a great impact on the program, and will look to build off their experience. The team will add one sophomore transfer and two freshman to add to the depth of the program for the 2015 season.
The team is coming off an injury riddled season. “Of our 25 matches last year we had, what I considered our full starting line-up, in only two of them”, commented Coach Steve Curtis. “I felt like we were capable of much more. But in tennis, where it's head to head players down the roster, having a top player out can drastically alter the outcome.”
The Patriots will also look to improve on their play within the conference after going 1-4 their first year in the A-10 and finishing 11th out of the 13 teams. The task will not be easy, as five teams in the A-10 were nationally ranked at some point during the season with VCU claiming the conference title. Despite the steep heights, Coach Curtis has an optimistic outlook on his young team's construction for the spring of 2015.
Here is a breakdown of this year's roster:
Juniors
Brittany Pilkington: Pilkington, one of the captains this year, was one of the players who battled injury last season. “Brit is a hard worker and terrific all-around player with a big forehand who managed to win nine singles matches from the top spot for us despite playing often when she was less than 100%,” said Coach Curtis. Pilkington is expected to play one of the top spots on the team again this season.
Esu Erdenebat: Erdenebat missed about eight weeks of the spring season after going down with a severe ankle sprain in the second match in February. “Esu is a good moving consistent baseliner who doesn't beat herself,” said Coach Curtis. Erdenebat, playing about half the matches last season, had the best winning percentage on the team by going 8-5 in singles and 8-3 in doubles. She expected to play in the middle to top of the line-up in both singles and doubles.
Mina Saygi: Saygi, a transfer from Old Dominion, went 8-17 in singles and 8-14 during her first season at Mason. “With her powerful groundstrokes and strong net play, Mina can be a force if she maintains her consistency, focus and positive attitude,” said Coach Curtis. Saygi is expected to battle for a starting spot.
Sophomores
Marijke Boers: Boers is coming off a freshman year during which she battled a few injuries while going 7-11 in singles, and 10-12 in doubles. “Marijke is a smart, aggressive all court player who can change the tempo and style to suit the situation,” said Coach Curtis. Boers will likely play in the middle to low in the singles line-up.
Olivia Lacy-Thompson: The New York native, Lacy-Thompson, is the first sophomore to chosen to be one of the captains under Coach Curtis. She posted team high 13-10 doubles record and an 8-16 singles record. “Liv displays a great team attitude. She is a fighter who hits a heavy ball and has a big serve,” said Coach Curtis. “She can be patient and can attack when necessary.” Lacy-Thompson expected to play somewhere in the middle of the line-up.
Sofia Santa Maria: Santa Maria, who is originally from Columbia, spent her final high school years in Florida training at the Club Med Academy. She went 5-9 in singles action and 6-6 in doubles. “Sofi spent much of last season on IR,” commented Coach Curtis. “I am excited to see what she is capable of if she can stay healthy this year.” Santa Maria looks to break into the starting line-up.
Scarlett Walston: Walston, a transfer from East Carolina who trained at the Van Der Meer Academy, went 8-4 in singles and 3-2 in doubles as a freshman for the Pirates. “Scarlett is a great doubles player who brings an energy and enthusiasm that is second to none,” stated Coach Curtis. “She had a lapse of judgment her freshman year but has since come to her senses and is now playing for Mason.” Walston is expected to play low to middle of the line-up.
Morgan Yang: Yang, from Springfield Virginia, had a solid freshman campaign winning 8 matches primarily from the #2 singles spot and going 10-10 in doubles. She came in to Mason with a very successful high school and junior tournament resume. “Morgan is a first strike player who uses her power, athleticism and movement to dominate opponents,” stated Coach Curtis. “I look forward to seeing what Morgan can achieve with her game as she becomes more versatile.” Yang is expected to use her power to battle for one of the top positions in the line-up in both singles and doubles.
Freshmen
Jane Awad: Awad is a local addition from Bishop O'Connell who has been ranked as high as 130 nationally. “Jane is a great addition to the team with her aggressive all-court game. A good mover with great consistency and very comfortable at the net,” said Coach Curtis. Awad is expected to play both singles and doubles in the higher ranked positions.
Elizabeth Sutherland: The native of Wichita, KS, spent the last four years training at the IMG Academy in FL. Sutherland has been ranked inside 160 in the US. “Elizabeth hard-hitting ball player with a big serve who can put the ball away from anywhere on the court. She also has good feel at the net and has a solid sense for doubles,” said Coach Curtis. Sutherland is expected to battle for a spot in the middle to top of the line-up.
