March 5, 2008

Malone Women’s Tennis Opens 2008 Season At Hilton Head Island

The Malone College women's tennis team, led by second-year head coach Dan Bernard, has been hard at work since September getting ready for the current 2008 season, which started this week at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina with spring break matches.  Last year, the team finished at 7-12 overall but posted a solid 5-4 mark in American Mideast Conference play.  Although the team is 0-3 in the early going, the Pioneers are battling in each match and hope to turn things around soon.

Malone has lost three outstanding players from a year ago – former seniors Emily Farls and Erin Martin along with sophomore Ann Marie Burton, last year’s MVP, who chose not to play this year to focus more on academics.

Leading this year’s six-woman roster is senior and #1 singles player Camie Urdea (Brasov, Romania), who earned All-AMC honors last year along with being voted the team’s "Most Spirited Player".   Last year, Urdea split time at the #1 and #2 singles position and compiled a 6-13 record.  Jackie Quilter (Sr., GlenOak H.S.), a 2008 team captain who plays at #2 this season, missed the final matches of the season last year due to injury but is back and playing very well in ’08.  “Camie and Jackie’s tennis strokes, talents to get the ball back and leadership will spark the team to a solid season,” commented Bernard.  The duo will also combine at the #1 doubles position this season.

Two sophomores returning are Lynsey Fuller (Canton South H.S.), who won the team’s "Most Improved Player" award last year, and April Victor (Tallmadge H.S.) who will play at #3 and #4 singles this year, respectively.  Last year, Victor posted a 9-10 singles record while Fuller recorded a team-best 12-7 singles mark.  “These two players have solid ground strokes, impressive serves, and will be a great #2 doubles team for us this year,” said Bernard.

Two new players join the ’08 squad -- junior Allison Hinkle (Jefferson Area H.S.) and senior Leah Pinkney (Edgewood Senior H.S.).  The duo will play at the #5 and #6 singles spots, respectively, and will team for #3 doubles.  “These two have resurrected their tennis skills, after having not played in college, and will add a whole new dimension to the tennis roster this season,” said Bernard.  “We anticipate another good year barring any injuries that really hampered us in 2007.”
                                                                 
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