Molly Caulk and the Panthers open the 2002-03 season Saturday at UW-Whitewater
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Women's Tennis Set To Open Season
Panthers head to Whitewater for first time since 1992-93 season
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Sept. 16, 2002 MILWAUKEE -
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's tennis team will open its season Saturday against in-state rival UW-Whitewater in Whitewater, Wis. The match will begin at 10 a.m.
Youth Is Served
Though the Panthers return five players from last year's squad, three of them will be playing just their second season of collegiate tennis. Sophomores Megan Brown, Erin Felber and Tammie Spiel combined for 11 wins on the season last year. The other two returnees, senior Molly Caulk and junior Cassie Kuranz, each picked up a win last year.
Welcome Aboard
The Panthers welcome a pair of highly-touted freshmen to the sqaud in 2002-03. Margie VanLieshout of Oshkosh, Wis., and Alyssa Halcomb of Camarillo, Calif., should have an immediate impact in head coach Erin Jex's lineup. Halcomb brings a 352-15 combined high school and junior record from from the west coast, and will likely play at No. 1 singles. VanLieshout earned all-state honors in Wisconsin during all four years of high school, and could get a shot at No. 2 singles.
Tough Year
UWM is coming off a difficult season that saw the Panthers lose all 18 matches last year. All was not bad, however, as the Panthers did pick up valuable experience at higher levels, with Tammie Spiel playing 22 matches at No. 1 singles and Megan Brown playing most of her 20 matches at No. 3 singles. Spiel will likely play No. 3 singles in 2002, while Brown could find herself at No. 5 singles during the season. Molly Caulk will be another to get a break from tougher competition, also likely moving down two spots in the lineup.
Scouting the Warhawks
UW-Whitewater is coming off a 14-5 season from a year ago and a final NCAA Division III Central Region ranking of 11th. The Warhawks return all 12 players from last year's team, including a pair of WIAC champions, Maggie Krueger at No. 6 singles and Becky Stoffel at No. 4 singles.
The Series
Since UWM moved to NCAA Division I in the 1990-91 school year, the Panthers and Warhawks have met three times, with UWW taking all three meetings. The two schools have not competed since the 1992-93 school year, when the Warhawks won for the third time in three years.
Up Next
The Panthers will have a weekend off before heading to Muncie, Ind., to compete in the Ball State Invitational on October 4 and 5.
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