The women’s tennis team began their season Sept. 18 at the 2009 Racquet Club Collegiate Invitational in Midland TX. The tournament ran through Sept. 20 and included colleges from all over the country such as the University of Texas University of Oklahoma Baylor University and Rice University.
It also featured one of the nation’s best players No. 1 seed Jelena Stanivuk of Baylor. Despite the competition the Pepperdine women were able to hold their own against the opponents.
Sophomore Andrea Oates won the women’s single consolation draw while her teammate Alexandria Walters advanced to the singles semifinals before losing to Stanivuk 6-1 7-5.
Oates downplayed her performance in the tournament saying she wasn’t completely satisfied with her results.
“I played relatively well but I’m still making some big changes in some areas and this tournament was great for practicing those things Oates said.
Assistant Coach Scott Doerner said he liked what he saw from the team.
I saw lots of positive energy and a good start to the season Doerner said.
There are high expectations for this year’s squad, as it has four returning players, including junior Anamika Bhargava, last year’s No. 1 player. She said the team has good reason to set high goals for themselves.
We should definitely aim for the Sweet 16 in Nationals she said.
Also returning this season is Walters, who was a second team All-WCC last year.
Four incoming freshmen, Tara Panu, Khunpak Issara, Marie Zalameda and the No. 7-ranked player in the nation for U-18, Arianna Colffer, are expected to be strong contributors to the team. Panu said she believes that this year’s team will be good because of the chemistry that they possess.
The upperclassmen are really supportive of us and they always take us out to get food and different places so we are developing a close relationship on the team Panu said.
Head Coach Gualberto Escudero, who the team calls Coach Gual” is entering his 33rd season at the helm of the women’s tennis program. He has led the Waves to 26 NCAA postseason appearances and 21 of the school’s last 22 WCC Conference titles including three consecutive 20-win seasons from 2006 to 2008.
During their 2008 season the Waves were riddled with injuries and could not meet their expectations as many of the top players were forced to sit out matches or play hurt. With healthy bodies this season the team looks to meet or even exceed expectations.
The loss of sophomores Zlatka Petrova and Anne-Christine Voicu due to transferring add yet another obstacle for the Waves to overcome.
Next up for the women’s tennis team is the All-American Tournament in Los Angeles Oct. 3 through Oct. 5.
Pepperdine will conclude its fall season with the Regional Intercollegiate Tennis Association individual tournament on Oct. 9.