Season Preview: Women’s Tennis looks to build on strong finish in 19-20
By Bud Denega
| 2019-20 Schedule |
ADA — The Ohio Northern Women's Tennis team played its best tennis at the end of the 2018-19 season. That's exactly what 19th-year head coach Scott Wills wants each and every season, and he hopes his team can pick up where they left off and, once again, challenge for an Ohio Athletic Conference title during the 2019-20 season.
"We showed some good improvement through the year last season," Wills said. "Our expectation each year is to be competing for a conference championship with a chance to go to the big dance -- the NCAA tournament."
The Polar Bears advanced to the OAC tournament title match after finishing with a 20-7 overall record and a 6-2 mark in conference play. The Polar Bear tennis squad has been in the OAC championship match in 16 of the last 18 years.
A veteran roster is headlined by four seniors in Mackenzie Wills (Ada), Katie Curry (Oxford/Talawanda), Kaleigh Cummins (Springfield/Northeastern), and Jordan Dodson (Worthington).
Wills competed in the No. 3, 4,and 5 positions and No. 2 doubles team last season, racking up a school record 50 victories. She went 24-3 in singles matches and 26-6 in doubles action en route to being named honorable mention All-OAC.
Curry returns after a season that saw her log a 24-7 record playing primarily at No. 4 and No. 5 singles. She also registered a 12-8 record in doubles games and was named honorable mention All-OAC.
Cummins recorded a 4-8 record at No. 3 singles and coupled that with a 6-9 mark in doubles action to garner honorable mention All-OAC distinction.
Dodson ended the season with an 11-1 mark in singles games, playing at both the No. 5 and No. 6 positions. She added a 5-1 mark in doubles matches.
The Polar Bears also return sophomore starters Olivia Schrager (Dayton/Miami Valley) and Abigail Staskiewicz (Mars, Pa./Oakand Catholic).
Schrager burst onto the scene in her first season in Ada, boasting a 21-10 record in singles matches, playing primarily at No. 2. She added a 16-16 record in doubles action and earned second-team All-OAC for her efforts.
Staskiewicz held a 17-5 record in singles, playing anywhere from No. 3-6. She also opened a 13-13 mark in doubles games, competing in all three doubles.
The Polar Bears also welcome a quartet of freshmen — Allison Kesner (Wooster/Triway), Regan Landis (Elkhart, Ind./Concord), Florine Sanchez (West Chester/Lakota West) and Jeorgia Templin (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) — who will look to make an impact in their inaugural season in Ada.
"With a solid recruiting class, we have a good blend of youth and experience" Wills said.
ONU opens the 2019-20 season at Defiance Sept. 4. The Polar Bears then hit the road to one of the top fall tournaments in the MIdwest with the Oberlin Invitational prior to completing the fall with the ITA Regional Championships in Kalamazoo and the Allegheny Invite.