Heading into the 2010 season, the Southern Oregon women’s tennis team will begin to prove that despite their age, they can still push for the postseason.
“We’re young but we’re talented and have lots of potential, said first-year coach and Ashland-native Ari Zaslow.”
This year’s squad only has two returning players, sophomore Liz Kiger and senior Katrina Sauer.
Sauer is the only senior and upperclassmen on the SOU tennis roster.
Zaslow has set three simple rules for his squad and they are to work hard, stay focused and stay positive.
“We lack experience,” said Zaslow. “They’re willing to make up the lack of experience on and off the court.”
The way the players are getting the experience is through little things.
“Getting out there, playing opponents and execute game plans,” said Zaslow.
Throughout this season, there are two players that fans should keep an eye on.
Freshmen Lexi Thomas and Allison Bostrom both are competing for the top two singles positions on this year’s squad.
Thomas is also teaming up with Kiger for the number 1 doubles spot.
The Raider tennis team finished the 2009 season with a 10-1 record and was a game out of the postseason.
The lone loss came against Southern Oregon’s regional foe Lewis-Clark State.
The Raiders won both of their exhibition games against Oregon, a 7-2 victory, and the Ashland Tennis Club, a 5-2 victory.
The Raiders only remaining home match is on April 3 against the Ashland Tennis Club at 1:30 p.m.
The next match is on March 13 against Mills College in Oakland, Calif.
