2002-03 WOMEN'S TENNIS OUTLOOK
With an experienced roster, the Saint Joseph's women's tennis team is in a position to improve on their 4-8 showing in 2001-02 and reach the .500 plateau for just the second time since 1989.
A trio of seniors and a pair of juniors provide the core of the squad and the leadership that four incoming freshman will turn to in their first season of collegiate tennis. Jance Hoy, Jill Simodejka and Lydia Thomas, all four-year starters, provide the experience to propel this team to a winning record.
Hoy was penciled in to return at first singles and first doubles, but back problems may sideline the Jersey Shore native in her final campaign. Trying to recover from surgery last spring that caused her to miss the Atlantic 10 Championships in 2002, she will fight her way onto the Finnesey Courts for her last season.
Thomas played last season at second singles and second doubles and is the preseason favorite to move into Hoy's vacated number one spot. Third all-time in career wins at third singles (12), Thomas compiled an 8-1 mark at second doubles with junior Katie Bobish. The duo might be forced to step up into the #1 spot, as they did at the A-10 Championships last spring. Simodejka put together a 3-6 mark at fourth singles last season and teamed with a flurry of partners in doubles for a 2-8 record. The SJU single season wins leader at fifth singles, the Pottsville, Pa. product will look to improve on her 2001-02 showing.
A pair of juniors has already made their mark in the record books in their first two seasons and return to the courts as upperclassmen in 2002-03. Katie Bobish, who owns the season and career marks at fifth and sixth singles, went 8-1 last season at fifth singles. The Aliquippa, Pa. native also is second all-time in career winning percentage on Hawk Hill (.821). Pilar Glodzik, the single-season record holder for wins at fourth singles and third in career winning percentage (.679), went 5-4 at third singles in '01-'02. Along with Hoy, the junior held down the first doubles spot.
Other returnees include juniors Kristin Cammarota, who saw action in four #3 doubles matches, and Jamie Lomas, who appeared in a handful of matches in singles and doubles. Michelle Savage, who went 5-4 at sixth singles last season, headlines the sophomore class. Maria Jukic will look to crack the lineup in this her second season.
Head coach Al Laveson, in his 24th season at the helm of the SJU women's program, welcomes five newcomers to his program this season. Senior Kathryn Fromuth joins the team during her final year at SJU and will provide depth in doubles after an all-state doubles career at Wyomissing High School in 1999. Freshman Nicole Morrison headlines the class after a storied career at St. Thomas Aquinas in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Morrison was a state champion in singles and three-time state runner-up in doubles.
Nora Burke earned New Jersey all-state honors, while Sofia Carreno was twice an all-Parochial selection at Holy Spirit High School.
The Hawks may lack one dominant player, but their experience and depth should lead them to higher ground in 2002-03.
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