Story by Sarah Combs, Assistant Sports Editor
The Racers closed this season feeling good about what they were able to accomplish as a team and look forward to what the future holds for them and the new dynamic of their young upcoming team, said Head Coach Jorge Caetano.
Caetano said expects more wins and the same effort. With the young energy the team is bringing in, Caetano expects good things for the program.
“With the new girls coming in, I think they will have a lot of energy they want to contribute to the program,” Caetano said. “All eight girls will be my girls that I recruited.”
KEY LOSSES
After losing five seniors last year, the Racers are losing another three.
“The seniors did a great job for us,” Caetano said. “They built the path for these girls and now they know what it takes to be successful.”
Megan Blue, senior from Mississauga, Ontario, played the No. 1 spot in singles, and No. 2 and No. 3 in doubles with her partner Amina Hadzic for the Racers this year. Blue placed on second team All-OVC for the third time after the tournament and finished 5-5 singles and 3-5 doubles in OVC play.
Erin Patton, senior from Memphis, Tennessee, played the No. 4 spot for singles and No. 1 for doubles. Patton finished the season 6-4 singles and 6-3 doubles in the OVC. Patton earned the final transition spot into the OVC Tournament this year for the Racers after winning her final singles match 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 against Tennessee State.
Suzaan Stoltz, senior from Brisbane, Australia, played the No. 6 position singles for the Racers. Stoltz finished 4-2 OVC in singles play.
KEY RETURNERS
Alina Schibol, junior from Hamburg, Germany, played No. 5 and No. 6 singles and No. 2 and No. 3 doubles for the Racers. Schibol finished 5-5 singles and 3-4 doubles in OVC play for the season.
Hadzic played the No. 2 singles and No. 3 doubles with her partner, Blue. Hadzic finished the season 4-6 singles and 3-5 doubles in OVC play.
Jeanne Masson, freshman from Dinard, France, played the No. 5 and No. 6 singles and No. 2 and No. 3 doubles with partner Schibol. Masson finished 5-4 singles and 3-4 doubles in OVC play.
Haily Morgan, freshman from Anthem, Arizona, played the No. 3 singles and No. 1 doubles with partner Patton for the Racers. Morgan finished 7-3 singles and 6-3 doubles in OVC play for the season.
Mari Udagawa, freshman from Tokyo, did not compete for the Racers this year but will return for the 2016-17 season.