2007 WOMEN'S TENNIS SEASON IN REVIEW
Jan. 10, 2008
The Emmanuel Women's Tennis Team wrapped up a successful 2007 season with the program's 5th-straight trip to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) post-season tournament. The Saints earned the 5th seed in the tournament and upset 4th seeded Emerson College (5-4) in the opening round. Emmanuel was then defeated by top-seeded Suffolk University (8-1) in the tournament semifinals.
Emmanuel was led by a strong senior class, with five players graduating in 2008. Among the seniors was team captain and 2nd Team All-Conference selection Anna Marie Podnecky (Bridgewater Corners, VT). Podnecky played 1st singles for the Saints all season and posted a 9-5 overall record and a 3-3 mark in GNAC matches. Junior Rachel Strauss (Westwood, MA) owned the 2nd singles slot for the Saints and posted an overall record of 5-9 on the season. Rookie sophomore Caitlin Kustes (Corfu, NY) played 11 matches at 3rd singles and picked up four wins for Emmanuel. Senior Cat Robinson (East Providence, RI) was victorious in seven matches this season, with five wins at 5th singles, one at 1st singles, and one at 3rd singles. Robinson went 7-3 in her senior season and was named to the GNAC Weekly Honor Roll on October 22nd of 2007.
Freshman Catherine Dunphy (Duxbury, MA) shared time with senior Megan Barrows (West Springfield, MA) at 5th singles. The rookie racked up the most wins in singles matches on the Emmanuel squad, posting an overall record of 10-3 on the season. She received GNAC Rookie of the Week honors on September 24, 2007. Barrows went 6-2, picking up three wins at 4th singles and two at 5th singles. Senior Katie Silva (Lakeville, MA) notched five wins in her 6th singles slot and totaled an 8-6 mark on the season.
Several Emmanuel players also had great doubles performances this season. The Saints' most consistent doubles team was made up of senior captain Jamie Kenyon (Ware, MA) and sophomore Nory Hayes (Newport, RI). Kenyon and Hayes tallied the highest winning percentage in doubles matches on the team with their 7-3 overall record. Megan Barrows also teamed up with sophomore Caitrin Dunn (Toms River, NJ) to pick up seven doubles victories for the Saints.
Head Coach Rob Miller will return in 2008 for his 9th season with the program. Coach Miller and Assistant Coach Molly Honan (3rd season) will lose the five seniors to graduation in May, but will return nine veterans to the team next fall. The Saints will look for a return trip to the GNAC Tournament in 2008 with the hopes of winning the program's 3rd GNAC Championship.