There are at least two names of current Bellarmine University women’s tennis players etched in the top 10 of every significant program record. Take that firmly established success and couple it with a promising freshman class, and you’ve got the ingredients for a potentially special season.
And that’s exactly what the 2016-17 Knights intend to produce.
“This is by far the most talented group of athletes I have ever had as a coach at Bellarmine,” Knights Coach John Mican said. “It is also one of the smartest as the women’s tennis team had the highest GPA of all Bellarmine teams. Our lineup will be strong from top to bottom in singles and doubles. The schedule we have will present top-notch competition, and we will be ready to succeed in conference play.”
As a freshman, Maggie Walroth had one of the most decorated seasons in program history. She earned All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honors after amassing a program-record 39 total victories. The sophomore collected 13 in the fall for the Knights, who finished 11-9 overall last season and 4-2 in the GLVC.
“Maggie is coming off a phenomenal freshmen campaign and is ready to continue her success,” Mican said. “To have a player with Maggie’s talent and work ethic leading the way is a coach’s dream. Her competitiveness and will to win is unsurpassed, which is saying a lot because this entire team is super competitive.”
Junior Marissa Kovach is coming off her second straight 30-win season. She tied Walroth with a team-high 18 singles victories. Kovach tallied 10 wins in the fall, with five coming with junior doubles partner Mairin Cotter. Coming off consecutive 17-win singles campaigns, Cotter has racked up 13 victories entering the spring season, including a team-best eight singles triumphs.
“Marissa is coming off two stellar seasons,” Mican said. “The two words I would use to describe Marissa and her tennis game are steady and solid. Whether it is in singles or doubles, we know we can count on Marissa to give 110 percent and to get the job done.
“Mairin also exemplifies the team’s competitive tenacity – a true Knight who loves to battle. Simply stated, Mairin is a winner.”
Senior Sydney Thompson is the team’s captain and is tied for seventh on the program’s all-time wins list with 77. She posted 10 of those victories in the fall. Junior Bess Fley was yet another Knight with an impressive win total last season, notching 21.
“Sydney has been instrumental in maintaining our team chemistry and has a strong desire to go out on top,” Mican said. “With her goal of becoming only the third player to achieve 100 wins in a career well within reach, it is Sydney’s willingness to dig deep to pull out some tough conference matches that have become her signature over her tenure.
“Bess has returned to freshman form after being slowed by some injuries last year. Even though Bess was dinged up, she won some huge matches for us going 4-0 in GLVC singles matches and 8-2 overall versus GLVC East opponents.”
Junior Nadia Sabie recorded 10 wins last season, and senior Sydney Landers and junior Mary Elaine Kuo add even more layers to Bellarmine’s match experience.
“Nadia will display her superb athleticism mainly in the doubles lineup where she has improved immensely. What really sets Nadia apart is the positive support she gives her teammates. She is like having an associate coach on the court,” Mican said. “Mary Elaine’s flashes of brilliance at the net leave people in awe at times. I can’t say enough about Mary Elaine’s work ethic because even though she hasn’t gotten much playing time she makes us a better team by giving her all in every practice. Sydney is nursing a rib injury, but she’s doing a great job of staying fit.”
Bellarmine boasts three freshmen in Ashley Jonathan, Jennifer Skonieczny and Sarah Sinatra. Mican reported that Jonathan was on the doubles runner-up team at last year’s Indiana high school state tournament and noted Skonieczny was ranked as high as No. 205 in the nation. Jonathan and Walroth are the Midwest Region’s seventh-ranked doubles team by the ITA.
Bellarmine placed third in the GLVC East last season to earn its fourth straight top 3 finish, and the Knights made a fourth consecutive trip to the GLVC Tournament. Bellarmine opens its spring season Saturday by meeting Lindsey Wilson at the University of Louisville.
“The mental toughness these young women possess is outstanding as is their commitment to conditioning and improving,” Mican said. “This is a group that has great team chemistry and is unified in achieving its goals. They pay attention to the details. I think everyone knows that if we are prepared for every match and give maximum effort, the results will speak for themselves. It is time for this program to take the next step in the GLVC.”
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by Adam Pruiett