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Tiger tennis starts season Saturday
9/11/2009
By RANDY GONZALES
rgonzales@dailynews.net
Tiger women's tennis coach Brian Flax likes this year's team.
So much so, he thinks Fort Hays State University could be successful in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.
Fort Hays opens the fall portion of its season Saturday with a 10 a.m. home dual against Hastings (Neb.) College at the FHSU Courts. The MIAA portion of the schedule will be next semester.
"I think maybe we're going to surprise some people when it comes to conference time in the spring," Flax said.
Last year, the Tigers had a losing record with an almost entirely new group of players. Flax hopes to benefit from those growing pains by having a solid mix of returners and recruits.
"We were 8-11 with a team I didn't think would win eight matches last year," Flax said.
Eight wins won't be enough this year. When asked if Fort Hays would win more matches this season, Flax said: "I'm planning on it."
Flax was unsure who would top the singles list for the opener, listing three players for three spots, in no particular order.
"My top three will be (freshman) Laura Johnson, (freshman) Melissa Skovira and (sophomore) Kelsey Bigando," Flax said. "They will be my top three."
The rest of the singles lineup could include sophomores Kayla Jarvis, Krista Lindsey, Brittney Shea and freshman Brianna Watkins.
In doubles, the No. 1 team will be Skovira and Johnson, with Bigando and Lindsey at No. 2 and Jarvis and Watkins at No. 3.
Sophomore Valerie Harris also could play Saturday, while freshman walk-on Amy Guilliams is waiting to become eligible.
Fort Hays has five sophomores and three freshmen on the roster.
"I'm really pleased with the new kids coming in, have the same work ethic and attitude as the returners haveNever had so much depth as this year," Flax said.
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| 2/18 | SW Baptist | L 66-53 | |
| 12/1 | Oklahoma - Panhandle | L 66-60 (OT) | |