April 19, 2002
WEST POINT, N.Y. - The women's tennis class of 2002 is looking to complete a sweep of Patriot League Tournament play as it heads to American University this weekend for the league's 2002 championship. In their three years at the Academy, seniors Ali Rohr, Jaclyn Ott and Melissa Sentelle have helped Army to a perfect 7-0 record at the championship and have made three consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament. The Class of 2002 is looking to graduate as the only class in Patriot League women's tennis history to have made four trips to the big dance.
"I think that we do have an advantage. We have the experience. We have two freshmen starting but we also have four players that have been there before. I think their experience will help their confidence," says head coach Paul Peck
Winning the championship would only continue the success that the Army women's team has experienced in recent years. The senior class will graduate as the winningest class in the program',s history. In four years, they have posted a record of 69-44.
The Black Knights, who are 17-10 this season, only need two more victories to tie the school record at 19 set in 1984-85. Only four times in the history of the Army women's tennis has a team won more than 17 matches, and the Black Knights have accomplished that twice in the last three seasons.
"I think the key to our success is depth and that is why we have been able to win so many matches," says Peck.
One secret on a cadet's success is teamwork. At the Academy working together is an essential component. The women's tennis team takes pride in this area and carries that over to the court. On and off the court, the team fully supports one another.
A signature of the Army program is its doubles play. This season the tandem of Marissa Limsiaco and Maelynn Bernosky have not shattered the single season Academy doubles record with 31 doubles wins, but also established a Patriot League record, for wins in the spring (22), eclispsing the old standard of 17.
Overall the Black Knights doubles teams have won over 58 percent of their matches.
"We pride ourselves in out doubles play," says Peck. "We have a lot of depth. Our one through eight players are pretty equal. What that allows us is flexibility so when I rest people we are not going to be a weaker team.
"The whole mentality here at the Academy is about working together, community and teamwork which comes through in doubles play. This is part of the reason we gel so well in doubles."
This season, Army has won the doubles point in all 17 victories. Winning the doubles point helps build confidence but also allows Army to jump ahead with the first point of the match.
In singles play, Peck has used a wide variety of lineups. Overall, the No. 5 singles and No. 6 singles have won over 58 percent of their matches.
As the No. 2 seed, the Black Knights will face No. 3 Colgate in the first round at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. The match is a rematch from the 2001 championship, where Army defeated the Raiders 4-1.
"We played well against them (Colgate) the other day," said Peck of his team's 5-0 victory on April 13. "They are going to give us a good match."
Colgate holds the series lead against Army 10-7 but the Black Knights have won five of the last six meetings. The winner will face the winner of the other semifinal match of No. 1 American versus No. 4 Lehigh in the championship match at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Apr 21. All matches will take place at American's Reeves Court in Washington, D.C.