The Clarion University women's tennis team is looking forward to an exciting but challenging season in 2011-12. The Golden Eagles open the Fall campaign on Thursday, September 22^nd, when Clarion hosts Westminster on the Campbell Courts at 3 p.m.
 
            Eleventh year head coach Lori Sabatose said, “The 2011-2012 season is looking good and the team is looking strong.  As a team, everyone worked hard in the summer and showed up ready to play.”
 
            The team wants “To be a united and trusting team that achieves something great every time we step on the court.”
 
            The Golden Eagles finished the 2010-2011 season with a record of 3-14 and 0-4 in PSAC-West.  The 2009-2010 season was finished with a record of 4-7 and 0-4 in PSAC-West and their last winning season was in 2008-2009 when the team finished with a record of 10-6 and 1-3 in PSAC-West.
 
            With only a few practices under their belts, the team is still eliminating for singles and doubles positions. Sabatose has an unusual situation this season.  Usually the top six players compete in both singles and double matches, however, this season there is a potential for nine players competing with only two or three of them playing in both competitions.  “I think we have an advantage with nine players since we can focus on double strategies separately from our singles play,” said Sabatose.
   
             The No. 1 doubles team appears to be Metzger and Clemons, with No. 2 and No. 3 to be determined.
 
             Sabatose said, “Everyone is pushing for a lineup spot and all the positions are being contested. We have great team competition, but also a good attitude and a strong worth ethic. That's very important to our success.” 
 
            Leading the way is the returning No. 1 singles and doubles player Jaclyn Metzger (Sr. Perrysburg, Oh.), who completed last season with a 6-11 singles record and a 4-13 doubles record.    A three year starter at #1, Meztger was 7-7 in singles and 6-8 in doubles in 2009-10 and  9-8 in singles and 8-7 in doubles as a freshman in 2008-09. “She is a quiet leader on court, has all the shots and knows when to use them.  She has good thoughts, and a thoughtful personality,” said Sabatose.
 
            Brittany Buchheit (Sr. St. Marys/ECC)  played as the No. 3 singles and No. 2 doubles inmost of the 2010-11 season. She completed the season with a singles record of 2-15 and a doubles record of 2-8.  Sabatose said, “She is a solid athlete with a real competitive spirit.  She goes hard for the shot and worked hard in the summer to improve.”
 
            Michaela Hardy (Jr. Bel Air, Md.) was the No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles with Jaclyn Metzger last year.  She completed the season with a 2-11 singles record and a 4-13 doubles record.  In 2009-10 she was 2-5 at #5/#6 singles and 5-6 at #3 doubles. Sabatose said, “She worked hard on her serve this summer to improve her play.”
 
            Drusilla Keeling-Woolbright (Pgh – West Allegheny), freshman, was No. 1 singles at West Allegheny High School and conference champion.  “She is a competitive singles player, has a strong western forehand, and good footwork,” said Sabatose.
 
            Caitlin Clemons (Fr. Williamsport)  played tennis at Williamsport Area Senior High School Caitlin was a PIAA Quarterfinalist in doubles and a district champion, while the team won three district ttitles.  Sabatose said, “Her forehand is very strong; it's one of the best on the team.  She is also a power player and has good double play.”
 
            Megan Bettwy (Fr. Hollidaysburg)from Hollidaysburg high, was the district 6 doubles champion her junior and senior year and the singles runner-up as a senior.
 
            Claire Kerstetter (So. Renovo/Bucktail) returns to the Eagles with collegiate experience from last season. She was 1-13 at #4,#5 and #6 singles, and posted a doubles record of 1-9. She is looking to return to the lineup.
 
            Lauren Rhine (Fr. Orefield) a freshman from Parkland high, helped the Trojans to the Lehigh Valley Conference title with a 13-0 record and an 18-0 overall season mark. She was 17-1 at #1 singles.
 
            Madeline Robinson (Fr. Williamsville, N.Y.) from Williamsville North High, was captain of her team as a junior and senior. She was 79-15 in her high school singles career and played #1 singles. Team placed in top ten in state as a junior.
 
            Lauren Zezenski (Fr. Bernville) a freshman from Tulpehocken High, played #1 singles and doubles. She was District 3 doubles champion and placed third in doubles at States. She was voted team MVP three times.
 
            Team captains have also not been named yet.  Sabatose said she is taking her time picking captains because “it is an important position for a small team.”
   
            Sabatose created a difficult schedule this season, in less than one month; the team has scheduled nine competition dates.
 
            Clarion's first competition at the PSAC singles and doubles championship was postponed due to the flooding in Bloomsburg and has now been placed on the spring schedule (April 27 and 28). 
 
            The first of three home matches in the Fall is set for Sept. 22, 2011 at 3 p.m. against Westminster. The other home matches are September 30 versus Seton Hill and October 9 against Pitt-Greensburg. All home matches are held at the Campbell Courts, behind the Student Recreation Center.
             
Head Coach Lori Sabatose enters her 11^th year as the Eagles tennis coach.  Sabatose was a four year starter for Clarion from 1988-91, posting a career singles slate of 51-7, and was 53-11 in doubles.  Sabatose won four PSAC individual titles during her four years.  She helped the Golden Eagles to a 47-2 dual meet record and Clarion won 3 PSAC team titles during her career.

By: Jennifer Hemenger