Aug. 12, 2005

ROMEOVILLE - New challenges await the 2005-06 Lewis University women's tennis team, which is coming off a 14-10 record (8-1 Great Lakes Valley Conference) and fourth-place finish at the GLVC Championship tournament a year ago.

Yuliya Kuznets, the 2004 ITA Great Lakes Regional singles and doubles champion and two-time GLVC Player of the Year, has graduated. However, the Flyers return eight players from last year's squad including sophomore Allison Schmitz, an All-GLVC selection who, with Kuznets, won the ITA regional doubles crown.

Schmitz and her teammates will face a GLVC that, with the addition of Drury and Rockhurst, consists of 12 schools that sponsor women's tennis. Lewis Head Coach Jill Siegfried believes many of the Flyers' other conference counterparts will put a stronger team on the court, making the league more difficult than ever.

"In some ways it's hard to know what to expect for this year," Siegfried said. "The GLVC has switched to divisional play, which should be interesting. I've heard that some of the teams in the conference have recruited very well. It all adds up to a tough challenge."

Schmitz comes in as a solid No. 1 singles player. The left-hander posted a 13-11 overall record and a 5-2 mark against GLVC opponents in her freshman campaign.

"Allison learned a lot by playing alongside Yuliya last year," Siegfried said. "She became a more patient player and learned smarter shot selection. I expect that to carry over to this season and look for Allison to be a team leader."

Freshman Jordan Lynde, a state qualifier in doubles last season at Boylan High School in Rockford, could grab the No. 2 singles spot. Siegfried expects Lynde and Schmitz to form the Flyers' No. 1 doubles team.

"Jordan comes from a strong high school program and is a very good doubles player," Siegfried said. "She works hard, has good hands and is well-conditioned."

Sophomore Erin Piechocinski earned a spot in the lineup last season, primarily playing No. 3 singles and No. 2 doubles. Siegfried expects Piechocinski to fill both positions again this year.

"Erin played a lot this summer, so she should be ready to go right away," Siegfried said. "She's a good player, and I look for her to be a leader this year."

Sophomore Melanie Sandberg played No. 2 singles after joining the team at semester break last season. Siegfried has Sandberg slated for the No. 4 spot at the outset of the 2005-06 campaign.

"Melanie struggled a bit last spring, but I don't think that was a good indicator of her ability," Siegfried said. "If she played a lot and worked on her game this summer, she has the potential to make an impact for us."

Junior Katie Popp, who won six of eight singles matches against GLVC opponents a year ago, should be strong at No. 5. She and Piechocinski registered a 7-2 record (5-1 in the GLVC) at No. 2 doubles last season.

"Katie is the type of player who is instrumental in making us a team, not just a collection of individuals," Siegfried said. "She'll certainly be a team leader."

Senior Jenny Jones, the Flyers' No. 6 singles player, enjoyed an outstanding 2004-05 season. Her 19-5 singles record (best among 2005-06 Lewis returnees) included an 8-1 ledger against GLVC foes. Siegfried projects Jones to team with Piechocinski at No. 2 doubles.

"We're almost guaranteed a point in the No. 6 spot with Jenny," Siegfried said. "She is a tough competitor."

Senior Lauren Koveleski has turned in three solid seasons of singles play for Lewis, including a 15-5 record (8-0 GLVC) last year that improved her career mark to 47-13. Koveleski is a nursing major who may not be in the singles lineup this season because of academic requirements in her field of study, but Siegfried has her paired with Popp at No. 3 doubles as the season begins.

"Lauren never gives in to her opponent, never goes down without a fight," Siegfried said. "That attitude is reflected in her outstanding record."

Senior Stacie Christensen, junior Vicky Orlova and freshman Michelle Wright round out the Flyers' roster.

"The opportunity for Stacie, Vicky and Michelle to break into the lineup depends on where they are with their game," Siegfried said.

On the surface, the Flyers appear to be in the tougher of two GLVC divisions. Four of the six qualifiers for last year's GLVC Championship - Lewis, Northern Kentucky, Indianapolis and Bellarmine - will compete in the GLVC East. The conference tournament has expanded to eight teams, with the top four regular-season finishers in each division advancing.

"Our goal is to qualify for the GLVC tournament and see how far we can go," Siegfried said. "We have players who have experienced success, and I'm confident they'll go out and give it their best."