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2001-02 Women's Tennis Preview
11/7/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Nov. 7, 2001
"Last time we were in this type of situation people said we were in a rebuilding year," said Women's Tennis Coach Jamie Ashworth, "and we ended up making it to the NCAA finals." The 2001-02 Blue Devils, however, are well-equipped to continue the success of last year's amazing 27-2 season.
The 2000-01 team was primed to attain the one title that has still eluded the women's tennis team-- the NCAA Championship. Ranked second nationally, the Devils raced through the ACC and NCAA tournaments but suffered a heartbreaking and unexpected loss in the Elite Eight to sixth-ranked Vanderbilt.
Despite the disappointment of last year, Duke is excited about its chances in 2001-02. This year's team must overcome the loss of two seniors, Kathy Sell and Megan Miller, and a promising freshman, Ansley Cargill, who turned professional after last season. However, Ashworth said, "After the way last year ended, the squad is ready to prove that we were that good."
This year's team certainly has the talent to prove itself and perhaps capture the coveted championship. Ashworth has buffered a strong returning squad with an influential transfer and an impressive recruiting class.
"This group is probably the most talented depth-wise we have ever brought into our program," said Ashworth. "Anyone can contribute all through our lineup. This shows a lot about their character because they want to be part of a national championship team."
The team will be led in its quest for the coveted title by senior Ioana Plesu, junior Hillary Adams and junior Katie Granson. Plesu (Saint-Foy, Quebec, Canada) has a career singles record of 31-17 and a perfect ACC singles record of 3-0. Since no spots are certain in the lineup this year, Plesu will see many opportunities to compete for playing time.
Adams (New York, NY) is a very important component of the team, especially through her doubles contributions. A versatile player, Adams has posted winning doubles records with partners Amanda Johnson, Prim Siripipat, Granson, Miller, Sell and Cargill. With Cargill, Adams finished last year ranked the 43rd nationally and part of the 47th ranked duo with Johnson. Adams only had one loss last year against teams ranked in the top 10. According to Ashworth, "she is getting better each year" as an "aggressive" doubles player and an emerging singles player. Adams will be looked upon to continue her role as last year's on-court leader.
Granson (Bethlehem, Pa.) will look to make her mark on Duke women's tennis this year. Although she will miss fall play because of surgery last summer on her left shoulder, she will hopefully feel the benefit this spring.
"Katie is a key to our success," said Ashworth. "I don't think in the two years she has been at Duke she has played the tennis she has wanted."
Perhaps the surgery will do the trick as Granson owns a career singles record of 33-15 and posted a 5-1 ACC doubles record with Adams last year. The team will look to Granson to provide the off-court leadership this year.
Siripipat, a native of Mexico, Mo., is also recovering from surgery on her rotator cuff and both of her knees from this past summer. The surgeries will keep the junior out of fall play, although she is expected to return in full form for spring. Siripipat has a 17-2 career ACC record and winning ACC doubles records with Adams and Plesu.
"Prim's biggest asset is her fitness," said Ashworth. "She can outlast anyone on the court. She is trying to become more aggressive."
After she has recovered, Siripipat will be one more key component to the powerhouse Ashworth hopes to build this year.
A product of Bettendorf, Iowa, Johnson had one of the best freshman seasons ever at Duke, never losing a regular season dual match last season. She finished the season ranked 10th in singles and ninth in doubles with Miller. The Blue Devils will look to Johnson to continue her outstanding play as a sophomore, especially because, according to Ashworth, "she is hungry this year and will be in a little more of a leadership role."
Along with the returning players, the Blue Devils add five newcomers which will add a lot of energy to the team. The team will have depth this year-- the ability to play 10 competitive players in the lineup at any time. The added strength will certainly add a more challenging dimension to practice because players will have to compete daily for lineup spots.
This year the Blue Devils have stolen a powerful weapon from Ole Miss. Julie DeRoo (Ecully, France) is the first European to play for Ashworth, bringing international experience of playing against the best competition in the world. After two years of playing for the Rebels, DeRoo brings her powerful game to Duke. In both of her years at Ole Miss, DeRoo qualified for the NCAA Individual Singles Championship and finished last year ranked 34th nationally in singles. DeRoo brings the experience of being part of a successful program to the team and a maturity that she will be able to share with the younger players.
"Julie has been through all the big events and knows what it takes to be successful," said Ashworth, "an asset that will help her fit right in at Duke. She left a wonderful program at Ole Miss and the opportunity to be the number one player for the Rebels in order to help Duke win a national championship."
Duke also nabbed a player from another Duke program this year. Junior Olga Gvozdenovic (Glenview, Ill.) switched from women's basketball to women's tennis. A highly recruited tennis and basketball player, Gvozdenovic played basketball for two years at Duke. Gvozdenovic brings an aggressive attitude that has been missing in years past.
"With her multi-sport background, she is not afraid to get close to the net and get hit by the ball," said Ashworth. "We need that aggressiveness and the rest of our team needs to feed off that."
For the second consecutive year, Ashworth has brought in one of the top-ranked junior players in the country as freshmen. This year Kelly McCain (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) joins the Blue Devils. Last season, she led her high school team to the Florida State Championship and was ranked first nationally as a senior. McCain brings experience to the Blue Devils. According to Coach Ashworth, "McCain is a fighter on the court who gives everything every time. Her tenacity and ability will be a major contribution to the Blue Devils in the next few years to come.
Freshman Susie Abromeit (Boca Raton, Fla.) had a successful junior career in tennis. Because of recent injuries, her last years of high school tennis were not as plentiful as desired but with a little bit of Duke training she will be ready to be a pivotal part of the team.
Saras Arasu, a freshman native of Tampa, Fla., is a scholarly tennis player. After her 1999-2000 season she was named the Class IA State Champion and Player of the Year, received the Bay Conference Scholar Athlete award and was selected an AP Scholar. She rounds out the powerful group of incoming players that will add firepower and depth to the 2001-02 Blue Devils.
The Blue Devils face a tough schedule in 2001-02 as the team is likely to end up playing approximately eight teams ranked in the top 10 nationally. The ACC is always a powerful conference, but this year's team has the ability to handle any challenges it may face.
"It is going to be exciting," said Ashworth. "We will have new team leadership, new dynamics and a new assistant coach. This team is hungry. No one on this team has ever made it to the NCAA Final Four, perhaps this is the year."
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