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September 16, 2005 > Sports > DiSesa leads youthful team into Conference USA

DiSesa leads youthful team into Conference USA

By Matt McCabe | Thresher Editorial Staff

With all but one player returning, the women’s tennis team looks to go from an NCAA Tournament bubble team to qualifying for the postseason by winning a Conference USA title. The Owls finished as runner-up to Fresno State at the Western Athletic Conference tournament last season.

“The competition level [in C-USA] will be about the same,” head coach Roger White said. “We lose a formidable rival in Fresno State, but we gain Tulane, a squad that is just as strong and able.”

Rice has a strong group of returnees, including senior Blair DiSesa, the Owls’ top singles player. DiSesa, who was a first team all-WAC selection last year, enters the fall individual season ranked 77th nationally in singles by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.

“[Blair] works extremely hard,” White said. “Her endless personal drive and ability to encourage the team will help us become a top-20 squad this year.”

Tracie Chong, who played No. 3 singles last year, exhausted her eligibility last spring, but the Owls return senior Medeja Egic as well as sophomores Christine Dao, Dominique Karas and Kimberley Patenaude to the starting lineup. Patenaude, who played No. 2 singles behind DiSesa last year, is optimistic about the team’s blend of experience and youth.

“While the team may be young, and faces many of the same challenges as last year, the returning players have gained a lot of experience,” Patenaude said. “The coach’s aspirations of being a top-20 team are not at all far from reality.”

Rice adds four newcomers to the team, and White said all of them could contribute this year.

“The freshmen are very diverse and will be a great fit for the team,” White said.

Freshman Alanna Rodgers from the Bahamas competed in numerous international events over the summer, and freshman Melissa Kavanagh-Patel has good court presence.

“[Melissa] brings a different, more aggressive style of tennis to the team and will contribute by putting a lot of pressure on opponents,” White said.

White said freshman Emily Braid has an excellent work ethic and the added advantage of being left-handed. Sophomore Tiffany Lee joins the team after transferring from California-Berkeley.

“[Lee] is a tremendous asset with a lot of determination and great personal and team goals,” White said.

White said Egic’s experience will be valuable with a still-young team.

“Medeja helped the team win countless key matches last year from the lower part of the ladder,” White said. “She plays with a lot of heart and loves to be counted on in the pressure-filled situations.”

Senior Amy Cao played in just two dual matches last year — her only season on the team — but White said she has a valuable role this year.

“Amy is often the difference between winning and losing,” White said. “[She] plays with a passion for the game and has a terrific work ethic, which makes her a great representative of what this team is all about.”

The most influential senior, however, is DiSesa. White said DiSesa has the ability to do well nationally.

“She has a great chance of fulfilling her aspirations to attain all-American status this year in individual play,” White said.

The Owls went 16-9 last season and ended the spring season ranked 51st nationally. Rice ranked as high as 29th last season and will have the opportunity to top that ranking this year with a rigorous dual-match schedule.

The fall season will allow both the newcomers and the returnees to develop individually and find doubles combinations.

Rice opens its season this weekend at the St. Mary’s Fall Classic in Knoxville, Tenn. The Owls will then return home to host the Rice Classic Sept. 23-25.

Andrew Baker contributed to this report

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