Women's tennis ready to succeed
By: Morgan Morrison
Issue date: 9/25/09 Section: Sports
Furman has always had a solid women's tennis program. In the past six years, the team has taken home the Southern Conference Championship title five times. Last year, before the regular season even began, two of its players were ranked nationally - former Furman standout Laura Gioia was ranked ninth and current junior Monica Arguello was ranked 37th.
Gioia alone wracked up more accolades than any other Furman female tennis player has ever received including her most recent honor of being named last year's Southern Conference Female Athlete of the Year.
Indeed, this year the team has a lot to live up to - and there is room for improvement. Last season it were stopped short of the Southern Conference Championship by archrival College of Charleston. However, this year the team is ready to reclaim Furman's dominance of the Southern Conference.
One of the things the team would like to improve is its doubles play.
"It is very important for us to win the doubles point in all our dual matches," said Arguello. "In the beginning [of last year] we struggled a little bit but as the season advanced we improved tremendously and wish to keep working on doubles."
The team will have plenty of chances to work on its doubles performances in several preseason tournaments this fall including the Furman Fall Classic, which is usually held in late September.
Considering the program's history and the players it will field this year, the team looks like it will be able to meet any lofty expectations.
"Our biggest strength out on the court is always giving it all and never giving up," said Arguello.
"Never have I seen such wonderful teammates who are not only amazing tennis players but also big fighters on the court who never give up. We make our opponents play the extra ball and make them work hard out there."
Gioia alone wracked up more accolades than any other Furman female tennis player has ever received including her most recent honor of being named last year's Southern Conference Female Athlete of the Year.
Indeed, this year the team has a lot to live up to - and there is room for improvement. Last season it were stopped short of the Southern Conference Championship by archrival College of Charleston. However, this year the team is ready to reclaim Furman's dominance of the Southern Conference.
One of the things the team would like to improve is its doubles play.
"It is very important for us to win the doubles point in all our dual matches," said Arguello. "In the beginning [of last year] we struggled a little bit but as the season advanced we improved tremendously and wish to keep working on doubles."
The team will have plenty of chances to work on its doubles performances in several preseason tournaments this fall including the Furman Fall Classic, which is usually held in late September.
Considering the program's history and the players it will field this year, the team looks like it will be able to meet any lofty expectations.
"Our biggest strength out on the court is always giving it all and never giving up," said Arguello.
"Never have I seen such wonderful teammates who are not only amazing tennis players but also big fighters on the court who never give up. We make our opponents play the extra ball and make them work hard out there."