April 29, 2002

Season Wrapup Notes and Season Statistics in PDF Format
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2002 Season Wrapup
Final Record: 2-17, 1-5 OVC

Although the 2002 tennis produced only two total victories, the season was a challenge that saw the team overcomes key injuries, still manage to make an appearance in the OVC Tournament after a year away from the event and build also for the future.

Following a productive Fall practice season, freshman Tyla Wells (who finished 2-1 in dual matches in the #1 position) looked like she would be a important contributor for Southeast this year. But only two matches into the Spring season, Wells went down with an injury and the Otahkians lost their #2 position player. Everyone else was forced to move up a spot in the lineup and Southeast found itself short of players at times. Despite getting two different walk-on's throughout the season, injuries to Adrienne Bland and Andrea Aldana at other times in the season put Southeast below the minimum number of players for matches.

The last month of the season, Southeast was forced to forfeit away important points within the match and that kept Southeast's record at a less than desirable level.

But the Otahks did claim a victory over Tennessee State on March 29, guaranting them a spot in the OVC Tournament where they finished in eighth place and almost beat Austin Peay for seventh spot. The victory was especially sweet, as the Otahkians swept the Lady Tigers 7-0 with every singles and doubles team being victorious. It was also extra sweet because the TSU Tigers had defeated Southeast 4-3 in the last game of the regular season in 2001, costing them a trip to the OVC Tournament in Nashville.

Although Southeast dropped all three matches in Nashville and finished in eighth place, they had made the next step by getting to the tournament.

Sophomore Kay Ehlke proved to be the team's MVP after another productive season. Ehlke finished with an overall 8-11 singles record, 7-8 in the #5 position. Ehlke was 4-4 in OVC matches. In doubles, the tandem of Cassie Foster and Aldana proved to be the winningiest Southeast duo, producing a 5-12 overall record and 3-6 record in OVC matches. Ehlke now has a two-year record of 15-19 in singles play at Southeast.

Next season, Southeast will have all of its players return and get Tyla Wells back from injury. That should give the Otahkians a deep squad, with a year of chemistry under its belt and looking to make a run in the conference. The long-term future also looks good, as Bland will be the only senior next season.