Season Preview: Women's Tennis team looks to have continued success in 2015-16 season
By Ashley Birchmeier
ADA — Under the guidance of 15th year head coach Scott Wills, Ohio Northern hopes to continue its success in 2015-16 both on the court and in the classroom.
The Polar Bears have been Ohio Athletic Conference Regular Season and Tournament champion or runner-up in 13 of the last 14 years, which has included team titles in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015.
In the classroom, Northern has been named as an Academic All-American Team by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association for 12 of the last 14 years.
Northern will open the winter portion of the season with two home matches, against NAIA opponent Concordia (Mich.) and Adrian (Mich.).
The Polar Bears spring trip will include tilts against Divison II Albany State (N.Y.) and NAIA opponent Spring Hill (Ala.).
Upon returning from their annual spring break trip the Polar Bears will play at nationally ranked Oberlin and MIAA opponent Trine (Ind.) prior to starting OAC play at John Carroll on April 2.
ONU will be on the road for msot of the second half of the season with conference play and their participation in the OAC Spring Tennis Fest held April 15-17 at the Linder Tennis Center located in Mason. Senior Day will be held on Saturday as a featured part of ONU's participation in the tennis fest.
Ohio Northern is aiming for its OAC season to culminate with participation in the OAC Tournament. The top four teams will compete for the OAC Tournament Title at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, with the champion receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Wills welcomes back five letterwinners from the 2014-15 squad that went 21-4 and captured the OAC regular season and tournament championships.
Leading the way for the Polar Bears, will be a trio of All-OAC performers, seniors Meghan Letizia, Taryn Stromback, and sophomore Lynn Kelly.
Letizia returns after a successful 2014-15 campaign, the senior posted a perfect 8-0 OAC singles record and claimed a 6-1 record in doubles action. She is currently ranked ninth all-time in wins in a single season and fifth all-time in career winning percentage at .824. She earned Honorable Mention All-OAC honors a season ago.
Stromback posted a 12-5 singles record last season and a 22-6 doubles record. The senior went a perfect 6-0 in conference play, eanring Honorable Mention All-OAC honors.
As a First Team All-OAC selection, Kelly posted a career record of 44-11, placing her eighth all-time in a single season. The sophomore posted a perfect 15-0 record in OAC play.
Returning letterwinners also include junior Brittany Toney and sophomore Morgan McGlothlin. Toney currently holds a 29-26 overall record, while McGlothlin has posted a 12-3 record and finished 2-0 in OAC doubles action.
Rounding out the ONU roster is sophomore Kirsten Adamson and senior Elise Smith.
"We need to lean on the experiences and success of seniors, Meghan (Letizia) and Taryn (Stromback), in providing leadership for our team this year. Both are battle tested and will need to lead by example," said Wills. "Lynn (Kelly) has proven she's one of the most consistent singles players in the region and Brittany (Toney) brings an aggressiveness in doubles play that puts can be a real force. While we lack some experience in other positions, we've a real willingness to put the reps in and improve each day. If we combine our experience along with a strong work ethic and team focus, we can create another special year for Polar Bear tennis."