Story by Kurt Miller
Coming off its second consecutive 15-win season, the 2016 Kalamazoo College women's tennis team is geared up for another run at the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association title under the tutelage of seventh year head coach Mark Murphy.
The Hornets, who finished second in the MIAA in 2015 with a single match against Hope separating them from their second regular season championship in as many years, return a strong core for the upcoming season led by senior captain Sarah Woods.
The three-time reigning MIAA most valuable player will once again lead the charge for Kalamazoo on the court as the top player in both singles and doubles, and Murphy believes Woods will find extra incentive to excel knowing the NCAA Division III Championships will be held on campus this spring.
"It all started three years ago with us hosting the NCAA tournament her freshman year and her making the quarterfinals," Murphy said. "She likes playing at home and she's preparing. There are some big matches coming up in February for her individually, but she's looking forward to that."
Also returning in key roles for Kalamazoo is junior Sabrina Dass, a co-captain with Woods, and sophomore Maria Franco. Dass paired up with Woods last season to qualify for nationals in the doubles circuit and compiled an MIAA singles record of 6-1, often competing as the number two.
Franco, an All-MIAA second team selection, compiled an overall singles record of 14-8 in her freshman campaign and went 6-2 in MIAA play.
With the top three spots in the Hornets' singles lineup providing a level of stability from last season to this season, the team will look to others to fill the four through six spots that were left open due to graduation.
"We are going to need our upperclassmen to continue their quality of play and even improve it," Murphy said. "We've got a number of returning players who we're looking to step up into the open roles. Seniors Katie Clark and Elizabeth Tyburski will need to continue to contribute as seniors as well as juniors Eloise Germic and Siani Johnson. They've played a bit in their careers and we're looking for them to step up."
Murphy also noted he expects sophomore Alexandria Oswalt and freshmen Maya Srkalovic and Sonal Bahl to compete for spots in the lineup.
The No. 38 ranked Hornets begin their season on Saturday, Jan. 30 against Baldwin Wallace inside the Markin Racquet Center. Limited seating is available due to ongoing renovations.
MIAA play is set to begin on March 16 when Kalamazoo hosts Olivet at Stowe Stadium.