The Lewis University women's tennis team reached the threshold of the Great Lakes Valley Conference title the past two seasons but, unfortunately, didn't have the key that unlocked the door to the trophy room.

Reaching that threshold again is the goal of head coach Jill Siegfried and her Flyers, who hope 2004 is the year Lewis women's tennis crashes through the door and captures the program's first GLVC crown. Lewis, which tallied records of 18-6 overall and 8-1 in the GLVC last season, also is seeking a third consecutive invitation to the 64-team NCAA Division II Championship.

To reach their goals, the Flyers are counting on a mix of proven veterans and capable newcomers.

Calling senior Yuliya Kuznets a proven veteran, however, is a tremendous understatement. The 2003-04 season, her first at Lewis, saw Kuznets garner GLVC Player of the Year honors; earn Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings of No. 28 nationally and No. 2 regionally in singles and No. 3 regionally in doubles; reach the ITA Great Lakes Regional semifinals in singles and doubles; and lose just two sets all season en route to a 23-1 singles record.

"Yuliya is aiming to win the ITA regional championship and advance to the ITA national tournament," Siegfried said. "After last season, winning the regional is the only thing left for her to prove."

Juniors Lauren Koveleski and Alane Lezatte also return after filling the No. 5 and No. 6 singles positions, respectively, last season. Koveleski posted a 13-7 singles record and a 14-4 doubles mark (primarily at No. 3) in 2003-04, while Lezatte turned in an 11-7 singles ledger and a 10-12 doubles record (primarily at No. 2).

"Lauren and Alane will be very solid at the lower part of our singles lineup and probably will team at No. 3 doubles," Siegfried said. "Lauren is a proven winner for two seasons, and we hope for more of the same from her this year. Alane had a good spring and won some tough three-set matches for us."

Siegfried said junior Jenny Jones will be tried at No. 2 doubles and may push for a spot in the singles lineup. Juniors Stacie Christensen and Katie Walsh and sophomore Vicky Orlova also return.

A trio of newcomers is expected to make an immediate contribution. That group consists of freshmen Allison Schmitz and Erin Piechocinski and sophomore Katie Popp, a transfer from Illinois-Springfield.

Schmitz, a left-hander, has significant USTA experience and achieved the No. 1 area ranking in her age group. Piechocinski also has been ranked by the USTA and is familiar with challenging competition, while Popp was undefeated at UIS last year.

"Allison is a well-conditioned player and a solid serve-and-volleyer, and she'll throw a lot of people off their game because she's left-handed," Siegfried said. "She probably will play No. 2 singles and team with Yuliya at No. 1 doubles, and she definitely will strengthen our team.

"Erin probably was the top high school player in our area. We look for her to take over at No. 4 singles. Katie brings a winning background to our program and is the probable favorite for No. 3 singles and No. 2 doubles."

Siegfried, last season's GLVC Coach of the Year, knows the path to the conference title will be a rocky one.

"Northern Kentucky is the defending champion and will be tough to dethrone," Siegfried said. "Southern Indiana is always tough, and Southern Illinois Edwardsville had a good spring. Indianapolis lost several key players but always is in the mix.

"We feel we have a very solid team that has the potential to challenge for the conference championship again," Siegfried added. "We just hope the third time is the charm."