Sept. 16, 2003
COLLEGE PARK, Md.- The University of Maryland women's tennis team kicks off its fall season at the William & Mary Invitational this Friday, September 19, in Williamsburg, Va. Back at the helm for his third year as head coach of the Terrapins, Martin Novak speaks with confidence and excitement about his 2003-2004 team.
"I believe that we have a lot of skill and enthusiasm in our two senior veterans Emily Marker (Ann Arbor, Mich.) and Chloe Chavardes (St. Nomlabreteche, France)," Novak said. "They have been through the battles and will help in guiding our three sophomores and three newcomers."
Last season the Terps struggled when their roster was reduced to five healthy players. However, this will not be the case in 2003 as Novak brings three freshmen to join his core of returning players.
"We have a deeper team than last year," Novak said. "The talent we have as a team is more homogeneous. That gives us a greater opportunity to do well in doubles, and be able to challenge more for singles positions."
The coaching staff is excited to build the team with the infusion of young blood to its roster. Although the underclassmen have a lot to learn, they are capable of helping build a powerful team, according to Novak.
New to the collegiate tennis scene are Novak's new recruits. A native of Glenelg, Md., Marianne Baker was a 2003 Maryland state finalist. Joining her will be another local, Brooke Rogers. Rogers, who resides in Reisterstown, Md., was a four-time all-metro selection. Masha Senic rounds out the freshmen troupe. Hailing from Glenmont, N.Y., Senic was ranked No. 3 in sectional rankings. Together, the trio will look to help Maryland make its mark in the ACC.
Look for big things from the sophomore finance major Jennifer Dent (Safety Harbor, Fla.), who posted a solid 16-14 singles mark in her first year as a Terp. Dent has two ACC singles victories already under her belt and will pick up where she left off last season. Andreea Fusea (Bucharest, Romania), a former top ten player in Romania, was a consistent performer for the Terps, posting a 14-12 singles record. Fusea, back for her sophomore season, hit her way to seven straight singles victories in the beginning of the 2002 spring season.
Chavardes, one of two seniors this season, notched 18 singles victories last season. The mark is her personal best and was also the second highest number of singles victories on the team as a whole in 2002.
Last season's co-captain, Marker embarks on her final season as a Terp with a national preseason ITA ranking of 71. Coach Novak recognizes Marker's talent on and off the tennis courts.
"She is a tremendous individual from a coaching standpoint," Novak said. "You cannot ask for a harder worker or someone who is as passionate about this team as she is. Her preseason ranking shows that opposing coaches have the same high opinion of her."
Taking the ACC by surprise in 2002 was new comer Ramona But (Timisoara, Romania). The first team All-ACC selection posted a team-high nineteen singles victories in her first year as a collegiate competitor. This season, But has earned a preseason ITA ranking of 61. She will be looking to make an even bigger impact this year since she only approached full health half way through last season.
Powerful, describes the Terps' opponents this year. Aside from three fall tournaments, 13 out of the 19 teams that are on the Terps' spring schedule have earned a preseason ranking.
"We really stepped up our schedule," Novak said. "Besides our ACC opponents, most teams on our schedule were in the NCAAs last year. These are the teams we want to be playing, this is where we want to be."
With a five cup of serving of returning veterans, mixed with the enthusiasm and fresh talent of the freshmen class, Coach Novak and second year assistant coach Joey Barnes have all the right ingredients for success in the 2003-2004 season.
