Oct. 23, 2003

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland women's tennis team will compete in the ITA Eastern Championships this weekend in Blacksburg, Va. Hosted by Virginia Tech, the Eastern Regional will boast some of the best players in the East.

For the first time since coming to Maryland in 2001, head coach Martin Novak heads to this year's regionals with every member of his team. "I am most excited about the fact that everyone will get to play at regionals," said Novak. This weekend, the Terps have four doubles teams participating as well as four players in the singles main draw.

Novak, now in his third year as head coach of the Terrapins, believes that his team has a lot to prove. "We have worked very hard and this weekend's combinations will help us see how everyone fits together," said Novak.

This season will be about finding the perfect mixture of his veteran players and newcomers. "Hopefully we will show our improvement this weekend and begin to establish ourselves as a powerful team in the east," stated Novak.

Veterans Emily Marker (Ann Arbor, Mich.) and Ramona But (Timisoara, Romania) will prove a valuable resource for the Terrapins since they have traveled to regionals before. This will be Marker's fourth consecutive appearance at the East Regionals while But will be returning for her second.

This season, Marker has already faced off against some heavy hitters from around the nation. She traveled to the Riviera Championships in Pacific Palisades, Calif., one of the premier hard court events of the fall season. She fared well in the national championship tournament, losing in the backdraw semifinals to the eventual winner.

The rest of the young Terp team will make the trip to regionals for the first time.

This year's team has only two seniors, Marker and Chloe Chavardes (St. Nomblabreteche, France). Chavardes will be paired up with Andreea Fusea (Bucharest, Romania) for doubles action. Fusea is one of three sophomores on the 2003-2004 squad.

Looking to make a mark at regionals this year is Jennifer Dent (Safety Harbor, Fla.). Dent will be playing singles and doubles for the Terps. Although only a sophomore, Dent has been playing in the top spots in singles action this fall. Her doubles partner will be freshman Masha Senic (Glenmont, N.Y.).

Sophomore Ramona But returns to the East regionals in search of success in both singles and doubles action. Her doubles partner is Brooke Rogers (Reisterstown, Md.). But, who was an All-ACC selection last season, was ranked No. 61 in the ITA preseason rankings.

Like But, Marker started off her senior season with a preseason ranking. Marker, ranked No. 71, has compiled an impressive 6-2 record this fall. Marker will be playing doubles with freshman Marianne Baker (Glenelg, Md.). The duo, who are 3-0, won the flight A doubles title at the Maryland Invitational earlier this fall.

Baker will be the only freshman playing both doubles and singles for the Terps this weekend. She started out her collegiate career on a high note by clinching the Flight B singles title at the Maryland Invitational.

With the right combination of experience and youth, coach Novak looks to bring Maryland back on the national scene and establish his team as a perennial tennis power in the East.

Doubles and singles action will begin on Friday, Oct. 23. The brackets for this weekend's play have not yet been released.

Log onto www.umterps.com for daily recaps and results from the ITA East Regional Championships.