Sept. 17, 2009
Contact B-CU Men's/Women's Tennis Contact Melanie Cheatham (386) 481-2278
2009 Women's Tennis Outlook
The Lady Wildcat tennis team opens the 2009 season this Friday, September 18. B-CU travels to Embry-Riddle University, competing in the Embry-Riddle Open Tournament. The Lady Wildcats play the Lady Eagles of Embry-Riddle as a non-conference team. Other teams invited to the tournament include Barry University, Florida Southern College, Jacksonville University, and Rollins College. The tournament format will be flights in singles and doubles. The first and second rounds are Friday with the third round and quarter finals are set to be played Saturday. The semi- finals and finals will be played Sunday, matches at 8:00 a.m.
With nearly the entire team returning, Bethune- Cookman Head Coach Trey Bogue shows much enthusiasm about this year's team. Bogue, along with Graduate Assistant Coach Thabani Sithole, have been working the team hard in practice preparation for this upcoming season. The Lady Wildcats have two new additions to the team in 2009. Freshmen Brittany Davis and Shereen Peterson-Paul both show much potential and are expected to be positive additions to the lineup.
Throughout Peterson-Paul's tennis career she has been ranked as high as number eight in Ontario. Peterson-Paul is currently ranked in the top 45 nationally for Canada.
Davis has been ranked as high as four in South Carolina. She was named MVP of her high school. Davis was named All-Region in South Carolina and was awarded Athlete of the Year all four years in high school.
"Both players should have an opportunity to compete for a spot in our top six and both should help us in doubles play.” Coach Bogue said. “ Shereen and Brittany are both talented players and excellent students that should become leaders on the court and in the classroom. Each of these young ladies really fit the type of player we have here at Bethune-Cookman University".
The newcomers will look to fill the hole left by graduating senior Monika Musilova, who
played number two in the lineup last season. Musilova was named to the All -MEAC first team in 2008-2009.
“Last year Monika was the lone senior and provided a lot of leadership both on and off the court. Her results speak for themselves and she will be sorely missed,” stated Thabani Sithole, Graduate Assistant Coach.
Eva Hankova, from Prague, Czech Republic,was also a stand out performer for the Lady 'Cats last season. She was named to the All- MEAC team, and earned MEAC Player of the Week honors for her all-star performance against Elon University. She ended the season with a winning record of 5-1 in conference matches, and had an 11-8 overall record.
“We are expecting her to do more of the same of what she did last year. And we are hoping she can make All-MEAC first team this season,” Bogue said.
This season, senior Jeneice Ward, of Diego Martin, Trinidad, has returned in top shape to begin the season. As the veteran member of the team, Ward's leadership and playing experience will add to the team's 2009-2010 success. Last season her conference record was 4-1, and she was named team co-captain with Musilova.
“This year we would like to see her step up as a senior leader, and be a little more vocal on the court,” says Coach Bogue .” She has a nice game that has developed over the years. Jeniece is a wonderful young lady and we would like to see her get some pay off with some quality wins this season.”
Stacey Lopez, from the Bronx, New York, went undefeated in conference doubles matches last year. Both have the work ethic and the heart to win matches. The doubles duo finished the 2008-2009 season with a team-leading overall doubles record of 17-3.
“We are expecting [Katarina] to play number one again,” remarked Bogue. “This year we are getting her to play a little more patiently. She hits probably one of the biggest balls in the MEAC and possibly Division I women's tennis. We are really excited about her and when she gets fired up - she is a nail to beat.”
“Stacey brings a lot of competiveness to every match, I hope that she shows a lot more of that this year,” said Bogue.
Valeshia Kendrick from Winter Haven, Florida, was a quality freshman contributor last season for B-CU. Kendrick had a breakout season winning her first few collegiate matches. She ended the season with a 10-7 overall record and was awarded the team Sportsmanship Award for her attitude and team contributions.
“This season, we want to help Valeshia work on her game,” Bogue said. “She has a big stroke and we just want to keep building on her positives.”
Juniors, Andrea Paez of Bogota, Colombia and Reijina Hopkins, a Daytona Beach native, are working hard to improve their records from last year. “Andrea is a great young lady, we just need to slow her tempo down, “ notes Coach Bogue. “Both players contributed in doubles play throughout last season. Reijina has improved a lot since she joining our program. Although she has shown a lot of improvement, we still want her to work, work, work,” Bogue adds.
At the end of the 2008-2009 season, Hopkins was named most improved player. In pre-season practices this month, both players have shown much improvement and are working hard to make the lineup this season.
The 2009-2010 team is expected to improve on last year's record of 11-9. With the team's excitement and ability, B-CU tennis fans should expect to see them at the MEAC Championships competing to triumph over five-year defending Women's Champions South Carolina State University.
Follow the Lady Wildcats' season by logging on to www.B-CUathletics.com. And on 'Cats All-Access Video for all men's and women's sports teams at B-CU.
