Women's Tennis eyes fourth consecutive conference title
By: Owen Mercer
Issue date: 11/14/08 Section: Sports
The Furman women's tennis team is without a doubt one of the most successful teams on campus. The Lady Paladins have won three straight Southern Conference Championships and look to add another as they head into the 2009 season.
Under the tutelage of Coach Debbie Southern, who is entering her 25th season as head coach of the Lady Paladins, the team looks to be unstoppable right now. It has won an amazing 88 straight SoCon regular season matches in addition to the three Conference championships.
Senior Laura Gioia, who is coming off a great season for the Paladins, leads the team. In 2008 she recorded a 22-2 singles record, as well as a 19-4 doubles record, both tops on the team.
Her performances earned her a spot on the All-SoCon First Team for both singles and doubles as well as the MVP of the Southern Conference Championships.
This fall, she reached the round of 16 in the ITA National Indoor Championships and looks to be ready to lead the team in the spring.
Gioia is not the only outstanding player for the Lady Paladins. Sophomore Monica Arguello returns to the team after being named the SoCon Freshman of the Year last season. She posted an undefeated conference record, going 9-0 in singles and 8-0 in doubles.
Furman will also benefit from the presence of junior Jessica Preeg, who garnered All-SoCon Second Team honors in 2008 while going 8-1 in SoCon singles and 7-1 in SoCon doubles.
Preeg's doubles partner, senior Lauren Tomory, will be another weapon for the Paladins after recording a 6-1 record in SoCon singles matches last season.
The Lady Paladins will look for depth this season from sophomore Jennifer Betts, who went undefeated in doubles play in 2008, as well as from freshmen Susan Bitetti and Brooke Mosteller.
After a successful fall campaign, the Lady Paladin tennis team looks to be well within reach of winning a fourth consecutive Southern Conference title. The team opens its season on January 21 when it hosts South Carolina.
Under the tutelage of Coach Debbie Southern, who is entering her 25th season as head coach of the Lady Paladins, the team looks to be unstoppable right now. It has won an amazing 88 straight SoCon regular season matches in addition to the three Conference championships.
Senior Laura Gioia, who is coming off a great season for the Paladins, leads the team. In 2008 she recorded a 22-2 singles record, as well as a 19-4 doubles record, both tops on the team.
Her performances earned her a spot on the All-SoCon First Team for both singles and doubles as well as the MVP of the Southern Conference Championships.
This fall, she reached the round of 16 in the ITA National Indoor Championships and looks to be ready to lead the team in the spring.
Gioia is not the only outstanding player for the Lady Paladins. Sophomore Monica Arguello returns to the team after being named the SoCon Freshman of the Year last season. She posted an undefeated conference record, going 9-0 in singles and 8-0 in doubles.
Furman will also benefit from the presence of junior Jessica Preeg, who garnered All-SoCon Second Team honors in 2008 while going 8-1 in SoCon singles and 7-1 in SoCon doubles.
Preeg's doubles partner, senior Lauren Tomory, will be another weapon for the Paladins after recording a 6-1 record in SoCon singles matches last season.
The Lady Paladins will look for depth this season from sophomore Jennifer Betts, who went undefeated in doubles play in 2008, as well as from freshmen Susan Bitetti and Brooke Mosteller.
After a successful fall campaign, the Lady Paladin tennis team looks to be well within reach of winning a fourth consecutive Southern Conference title. The team opens its season on January 21 when it hosts South Carolina.