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January 23, 2004 > Sports > Doubles focus helps women’s tennis rout

Doubles focus helps women’s tennis rout

By Christine Chen | For the Thresher

After a resounding 7-0 victory Saturday over Western Athletic Conference foe Louisiana Tech University, the women’s tennis team will continue its 2004 campaign tomorrow with home matches against Sam Houston State University (10 a.m.) and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (3 p.m.) at Jake Hess Tennis Stadium.

Rice swept A&M-CC last year but did not face SHSU. Ranked 75th nationally and coming off a Saturday sweep of La. Tech, the Owls are confident heading into tomorrow’s matches.

Last weekend’s rainy weather did not stop Rice from opening its season at The Woodlands Country Club. The Owls started strong, dominating all three doubles matches to earn the match’s first point. Senior Karen Chao and junior Tracie Chong won at second doubles 8-5, and seniors Yasmin Fisher and Annie Goodrich clinched the doubles point by winning 8-2 at No. 3. Sophomores Lauren Archer and Blair DiSesa concluded the doubles sweep with an 8-4 win at No. 1.

DiSesa said the Owls’ focus on doubles contributed to their dominance.

“I feel we were exceptionally focused but still had fun,” DiSesa said. “I think we were all more determined than usual, because we all knew that we have struggled in the past. We realized that getting the doubles point would be huge in our further success.”

Head coach Roger White said he was pleased with the team’s development in doubles play and particularly with the teamwork of each pair.

“Doubles [have] been a work in progress, but I feel the team members have developed more chemistry amongst each other and have really come together,” White said.

Assistant coach Julie Thu said the players’ mental approach to doubles matches is crucial because of its one-set format.

“It is really important for the doubles players to get a good start, because it’s not like playing a match,” Thu said. “It’s very hard to catch up later in the match. We remained dominant throughout our doubles play, this time, which has been our weakest point.”

In singles, 51st-ranked Archer breezed to a 6-0, 6-2 victory at first singles, and the rest of the Owls followed suit with straight-set wins. DiSesa at No. 2 and Chong at No. 3 were tested the most, losing four and five total games, respectively, but Chao, Fisher and Goodrich breezed in the lower half of the order.

“Everyone did a good job being very focused and determined about their play,” White said. “We really did a great job of staying on top of a lot of details that can really be left out during the pressure of the matches. The girls competed very hard and professionally on the court, and the results were tremendous.”

After three years of mostly disappointing results, the Owl seniors are looking forward to the 2004 season.

“The last few years, we haven’t played that well,” Chao said. “For the team, this is our first year with a preseason ranking, which is a pretty big deal. People finally realize that we are that good to be ranked nationally. This has boosted our confidence, and we are striving to capitalize on our potential.”

Goodrich agreed with Chao about the seniors’ optimism for the season, which builds toward the WAC Championships April 30–May 2 at Jake Hess Tennis Stadium.

“All three of us are really excited,” Goodrich said. “We haven’t experienced a winning team. We have a really good chance this season of finishing higher than we [ever have]. Our team is extremely motivated, and we definitely want to win [the WAC Championships].”

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