2010 Tennis Preview: Garnet Women Look to Rebound
SWARTHMORE, Pa. - The 2010 Swarthmore College women's tennis team is hoping that the return of the two-time Centennial Conference Player of the Year, a pair of experienced upperclassmen and the influx of a large, talented freshmen class is enough to push the team over the top and back into the Centennial Conference playoffs and into title contention in 2010.
Wallwork be aiming for her third-straight Centennial Conference Performer of the Year award in 2010.
Leading the way for the Garnet in 2010 is two-time Centennial Conference Player of the Year senior Rachel Wallwork (Washington, D.C. - Georgetown Day). Wallwork (above) - the preseason No. 1 singles favorite in the Centennial once again - is the fifth-ranked singles player in the South Atlantic region and will be the Garnet's undisputed leader this upcoming season. Last year, Wallwork went undefeated (8-0) at No. 1 singles in the Centennial Conference for the second straight year, reached the round of 32 in the NCAA Individual National Championship for the second time, and was the first player in Swarthmore history to defeat the No. 1 player in the country (Emory's Lorne McManigle; 6-2, 6-2). Wallwork will no doubt have a target on her back from other opponents - but if the 2009 season is any indication - the one following her breakout 2008 campaign - she has already proven that she has what it takes to rise up when the expectations are high.
Along with Wallwork, the Garnet return two of its top four singles players from 2009. In addition to Wallwork, Luann Cignavitch '11 (Charleston, S.C. - Porter-Gaud School ) and Alexis Hickman '11 (Vienna, Va. - George C Marshall) are all expected contribute for the Garnet in 2010. Both players saw action in doubles play last year and while the loss of All-Centennial performer Jennie Park '09 will be felt - the experiences of the returning players should help to fill the void.
A large and talented freshmen class that includes Stephanie Chia (Pleasantville, NY - Pleasantville HS), Kelsey Johnson (Titusville, NJ - Hopewell Valley), Haley Most (Seattle, Wash. - Lakeside School), Emily Rosenblum (Berwyn, Pa. - Friends Central), Tayler Tucker (Phoenix, Ariz. - North High School) and Dina Zingaro (Randolph, NJ - Randolph) will be counted on immediately to provide the depth needed to improve upon last season's record. The freshmen as a whole performed well in singles and doubles fall competition, but more will be expected in the spring.
Under the direction of head coach Jeremy Loomis, the Garnet will once again play one of the nation's most challenging schedules, facing nationally-ranked Mary Washington (March 13) and Skidmore (April 4) in non-conference play, while the Centennial Conference slate begins on March 13 at home against Bryn Mawr. The Garnet open the 2010 season this Saturday at home against NYU (10:00 a.m.)