Season Outlook

Pictured at left - Deana Nowakowski

The Wittenberg University women's tennis team has a very different look in 2001-02 after a third-place NCAC finish last season. Gone are four players who earned letters in 2001, including first singles and All-NCAC standout Erin Beach. In their stead, second singles and All-NCAC player Shannon Oliphant (Columbus, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson) leads a talented but inexperienced crew into action in 2002.

Oliphant, who went 17-7 overall last year and 6-1 in the NCAC, is once again slated to play the No. 2 singles position. She will be joining up with freshman Emily Figel (Ft. Wayne, Ind./Homestead) at first doubles. Figel will play first singles this spring after advancing to the championship match of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association regional tournament.

Rounding things out, sophomores Megan Maher (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston), Deana Nowakowski (Uniontown, Ohio/Lake) and Valerie Allen (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain) and freshmen Ellie Hazelbaker (Cincinnati, Ohio/Roger Bacon), Bonnie Egan (Cincinnati, Ohio/Turpin) and Sarah Fassler (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Ursula) are battling for starting spots. Maher and Nowakowski were starters a year ago, compiling singles records of 8-8 at No. 6 and 12-9 at No. 5 respectively. As a doubles tandem, the pair went 2-4 in late-season action, including a 1-3 mark at No. 3 doubles in NCAC action.