Focusing only on the speeding yellow ball, they swing their perfectly
strung weapons and fire at their opponents. They defend their court with
cat-like reflexes and unmatched quickness.
With the right combination of strength and strategy, they defeat their
opponents — game, set, match. The Lady Vol tennis team continues to
dominate the court, increasing its success as it approaches the top 10.
With their successful fall season coming to an end, the women are pleased
with their performance and look to improve as spring approaches. The team
has competed in three tournaments so far this fall and will play in one
more before the conclusion of the season.
Sophomore Candy Reid said she looks forward to the spring season with
enthusiasm and high expectations.
“We hope that it will be the best so far,” Reid said. “With a new co-coach
and two All-Americans, we have a chance to finish in the top 10, maybe even
the top five.”
Reid’s confidence comes from the impressive play of her team, led by senior
All-Americans Manisha Malhotra and Margie Lepsi. The pair is currently
ranked fourth in the nation in doubles.
They began their final season for UT with a first-place finish in this
fall’s individual SEC tournament. Malhotra and Lepsi, who are also
nationally ranked 12th and 34th in singles, respectively, set the pace for
the Lady Vols.
Meanwhile, senior Erin Lowrey, in California this week competing in the
All-American tournament, won in her first round of play on Saturday.
Whitney Dill, a junior from Knoxville, has had an impressive fall, winning
the large majority of her matches and making it to the quarterfinals of
last week’s SEC tournament.
Reid and freshman Megan Russell contributed to Tennessee’s success as the
doubles pair beat its 13th-ranked competitors from South Carolina and went
on to win the Furman Classic at the beginning of the month.
Also winning for UT is junior Emily Woodside, who has done well this fall
and looks to better her record next weekend.
Completing the roster for the Lady Vols are sophomore Kellie Heaton,
freshman Elizabeth Seiverling and freshman Catherine Hall.
The girls look to build on their already successful season when they travel
to Chapel Hill for the Rolex Regional Qualifier on Nov. 1, their final fall
competition.
Sonya Hahn-Patrick, who has joined husband Mike Patrick as coach for the
Lady Vols, is excited about her new position, her team’s success and the
upcoming season.
“I enjoy all the girls very much,” Hahn-Patrick said. “It is great to wake
up in the morning and enjoy coming to work.”
The SEC, by far the strongest conference in women’s tennis, is home to four
top 10 teams. The No. 1-ranked Florida Gators, No. 5-ranked Georgia, and
ninth-ranked Ole miss pose definite threats to the Lady Vols, who are
currently holding on to the No. 10 spot.
“This is the first year in a while that we could be in contention for the
conference title,” Hahn-Patrick said. “We also have a great chance to
finish top 10 if we stay healthy and work together.”
The Patricks and the Lady Vols don’t begin the quest for the SEC title
until Feb. 27, when they host Arkansas. For now, though, the girls are busy
working hard and preparing themselves for the long journey they hope will
result in unprecedented success.
“We work hard every day, pushing ourselves to be the best we can be and
better,” Reid said. “I believe it will pay off.”
Already ranked 10th after a strong fall season, the Lady Vols have begun to
to achieve their goals. With their strategically placed shots and service
aces, the girls strive to be the best and work hard to be better.
Every fierce swing of the racket, every heart-pounding rally and every
grueling practice brings the Lady Vols closer to their dream of securing
Tennessee’s place in the SEC and the nation.
