Women's Tennis 1/24/2013 12:25:00 PM

YOUTH BACK TO SERVE AS WOMEN’S TENNIS OPENS DUAL SLATE AGAINST UNC CHARLOTTE, DAVIDSON

RADFORD, Va. – Coming off its most successful season since 1990, Radford women's tennis has a great deal to look forward to when the squad serves it up at Davidson against UNC Charlotte and the host Wildcats.

Concluding their 2011-12 campaign at 17-7 overall and 4-4 in the Big South, the Highlanders return three starters in sophomores Gemma Valls, Taylor Newman and Meg Napolitano. Adding to their youth on the roster are three freshmen: Hana Babic, Taylor Fay and Allison Michael.

“We are extremely young this season,” head coach Bruce Harrison said. “Replacing our Nos. 1-3 singles players [Petra Dajevic—current assistant coach, Hannah Crawford and Mia Drobnjak] is a difficult challenge and will force our underclassmen to grow up quickly.”

After competing the majority of 2012 at No. 4 singles, Valls jumps to the top of the lineup. The Barcelona, Spain native posted a 17-6 overall ledger and a 6-3 mark in league action. She finished the season strong, going 8-2 over her final 10 matches. Valls teamed with Dajevic at No. 3 doubles for a 14-5 record.

“Coming from Spain, Gemma was accustomed to clay courts,” Harrison said. “She got stronger with every match as she made the transition to hard courts, which is a much faster surface. Gemma has incredible speed, immaculate strokes and the potential to be a strong player and leader for us at the top spot.”

Babic and Newman will split time at the next two flights. Playing the majority of last season at No. 5 singles, Newman recorded a 17-12 overall record, including a 14-9 ledger in dual matches. Like Valls, Newman went 8-2 over her final 10 matches.

“Hana is a lot like Gemma last year,” stated Harrison in reference to the adjustment from clay to hard courts. “She has all the tools, but is new to the fast action of college tennis. Hana is catching on quickly and looks stronger with every match. Her best tennis is ahead of her.”

“As for Taylor, her game has improved greatly since coming to Radford. She works extremely hard and that desire to improve her game is paying off. Taylor has the skills to play at the top of the lineup for us.”

Holding down the No. 4 position will be Napolitano, who compiled a 22-7 ledger, including a 20-3 mark in dual matches and an 8-1 record in conference play. With a 9-1 ledger in her final 10 matches of last season, Napolitano competed at the sixth spot for RU. Teaming with Crawford for doubles, she finished 20-8 overall and 15-3 in the No. 2 slot.

“Meg has to be one of the most tenacious competitors I have had the pleasure of working with,” Harrison expressed. “Her natural athleticism and desire to win puts her in a spot to win any match.”

Fay and Michael round out the lineup at No. 5 and No. 6 singles, respectively. Ranked No. 261 according to tennisrecruiting.net, Fay was an all-area selection in 2010 and 2011. The MVP of Daniel Hand's girl's tennis team in 2011, Fay was a two-time all-state honoree and a three-time All-Southern Connecticut Conference recipient.

“Taylor has the ability to change her game up as needed,” Harrison said about Fay's versatility. “She will run the baseline, serve and volley, or bang winners. Whatever style of play she needs to get the job done, Taylor has it in her repertoire.”

The third-ranked prospect in Virginia for the incoming class according to tennisrecruting.net, Michael was a three-time state champion at East Rockingham. As a freshman, she led the Eagles to their first state title in program history and went undefeated during her junior campaign, en route to capturing singles and doubles state championships.

“Allison is very coachable and is working hard to be the best she can be,” commented Harrison. “The main thing Allison needs is match play and she will get plenty this spring playing for the Highlanders.”

The Highlanders take on UNC Charlotte at 5:00 p.m. Friday and will duel with Davidson at 10:00 a.m. Saturday. Both matches will be played at the Wildcats' Knobloch Indoor Tennis Center in Davidson, N.C.

Print Friendly Version