2008 Woodie Awards
Women's tennis hopes for national ranking
Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: Sports
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A .500 record and a top eight regional ranking - that's all the Southwest Baptist women's tennis team needs to get into the 2007 NCAA Division II National Tennis Championships (NTC). With a season record of 10-9 and number eight ranking in the North Central Region, Head Coach John Bryant says he is cautiously optimistic about the team's chances.
"We control our own destiny," Bryant said. "It's there for the taking. We just need to go out and take care of business."
Should the Lady 'Cats finish with at least a .500 record and a top eight ranking in the North Central, they would become the first ever SBU women's tennis to make the NTC. Last year, the Lady 'Cats looked to be almost a shoe-in for that first NTC berth. The team got off to a sizzling 13-6 start and was ranked in the North Central's top eight. Following that great start, however, was a six-meet losing streak that caused SBU to fall out of the top eight. The Lady 'Cats ended their once promising season with a 13-12 record.
After a 10-6 start this season, and a number three ranking in the North Central, the Lady 'Cats had the look of a team that was headed to nationals. Since that time, the Lady 'Cats have lost three consecutive meets. Following a 6-1 loss to MIAA rival Emporia State, a 5-0 shutout by nationally-ranked MIAA rival Washburn (25th) and an 8-1 loss to nationally-ranked Drury (30th), the Lady 'Cats find their national tournament hopes hanging by a thread going into their final regular season and postseason meets.
Scheduled to play an MIAA make-up meet in St. Joseph against Truman State this Friday, April 20, the Lady 'Cats will stay in St. Joseph to play in the annual MIAA Tournament on Saturday and Sunday, April 21-22. According to Bryant, a win over Truman and two wins in the MIAA Tournament should get the Lady 'Cats to the national championships.
"It's now or never," Bryant said. "We'll see what happens."
"We control our own destiny," Bryant said. "It's there for the taking. We just need to go out and take care of business."
Should the Lady 'Cats finish with at least a .500 record and a top eight ranking in the North Central, they would become the first ever SBU women's tennis to make the NTC. Last year, the Lady 'Cats looked to be almost a shoe-in for that first NTC berth. The team got off to a sizzling 13-6 start and was ranked in the North Central's top eight. Following that great start, however, was a six-meet losing streak that caused SBU to fall out of the top eight. The Lady 'Cats ended their once promising season with a 13-12 record.
After a 10-6 start this season, and a number three ranking in the North Central, the Lady 'Cats had the look of a team that was headed to nationals. Since that time, the Lady 'Cats have lost three consecutive meets. Following a 6-1 loss to MIAA rival Emporia State, a 5-0 shutout by nationally-ranked MIAA rival Washburn (25th) and an 8-1 loss to nationally-ranked Drury (30th), the Lady 'Cats find their national tournament hopes hanging by a thread going into their final regular season and postseason meets.
Scheduled to play an MIAA make-up meet in St. Joseph against Truman State this Friday, April 20, the Lady 'Cats will stay in St. Joseph to play in the annual MIAA Tournament on Saturday and Sunday, April 21-22. According to Bryant, a win over Truman and two wins in the MIAA Tournament should get the Lady 'Cats to the national championships.
"It's now or never," Bryant said. "We'll see what happens."
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