Sept. 14, 2001

It's a familiar story for the Southeast Missouri State women's tennis team as youth will once again be a dominating factor on this season's team. Last year, with a roster containing only one senior, the team battled injuries all season long and finished the year 5-13 overall and winless in the Ohio Valley Conference. This season's roster of seven contains one junior, four sophomores and two freshmen. Just like a year ago the team will be young, but this year's squad does bring a little more experience and a desire to improve to the courts. And barring a rash of injuries like a season ago, Southeast should be an improved team.

The role of leader will go to junior Adrienne Bland, the only upperclassman on this year's squad. Bland struggled in singles action a season ago but was one of the teams and conferences best doubles players. Teaming most with departed senior Mel Thomas, Bland posted an overall 10-7 doubles record and 10-6 in matches with Thomas. The 10-6 mark was good enough for fourth place amongst OVC number one doubles teams. In the off-season Bland has worked hard to improve her game and that should help her make an impact this season. Her tremendous work ethic should be an asset to the Otahkians and she will definitely be the team leader on and off the court.

Sophomore Andrea Aldana missed all of the 2001 spring season with an ankle injury and received a medical redshirt. Only a sophomore as far as eligibility is concerned, Aldana will be starting her third year in the program and will a high level of maturity and experience to the team. Aldana has gotten stronger in the off-season and her toughness should benefit Southeast in the middle of the lineup.

Sophomore walk-on Kay Ehlke was the surprise of the team last season. Playing mainly out of the number six position, Ehlke posted a 7-8 overall singles record. More importantly, she adjusted well when asked to play the three, four or five positions when injuries necessitated it. She will once again man the number five or six spot for the Otahkians but this year she will bring more fire and determination to the squad. At the same time, OVC opponents will not overlook her as much this year as they may have done a season ago.

Sophomore Jennifer Kirk is the last returning member. Kirk struggled at times in adjusting to collegiate tennis and will be taking a more serious approach this season. Known for being the "class clown" off the court, Kirk not only became more fit in the off-season but also decided to be a little more serious on the court. That mental approach should benefit this team and help Kirk return to the success she had as a doubles player in high school.

Three newcomers fill out the Otahkian roster. Daniela Garcia, a transfer from Indiana State, starts her first year in Southeast. Garcia played sparingly during the Spring semester at ISU last year but will be looked upon to be a number one or two position player for Southeast this season. Although a little rusty, Garcia brings a commanding presence to the court. She is be a tough competitor and mentally tough. Her success will be a determining factor in the Otahkians success.

Freshman Tyla Wells will also be looked upon to be a contributing factor right away. Projected to be a number one or two player, Wells finished a very successful high school career at Paoli High School in French Lick, Ind. At Paoli, Wells won 64 of her 70 matches, was a first-team all-state selection her senior season and ranked as high as 18th in the USTA's ranking of 18-year olds in the Midwest region. Wells is a crafty player with great endurance and is very athletic.

The final newcomer is walk-on Cassie Foster. Foster, a 2001 graduate of Incarnate Word Academy in St. Louis, finished last year with a 17-2 record as the number one player on her team. Head Coach Donna Ryan considers her one of the best walk-ons ever to play at Southeast. Foster's upside is that she wants to put the time into learning and looks forward to it. How accelerated her learning curve is will determine how much she contributes to the team this year.

Ryan is excited about the upcoming season. "The biggest obstacle we face is the learning time with the new girls. But once we get by that I think our potential is endless. We can do nothing but get better this season and I think we will definitely make an impact in the OVC this year," Ryan said.