Women's Tennis Eager for NEAC 2012

Last fall, Kayla Flynn and the rest of the Lady Hornets' compiled a 4-4 record in the North Eastern Atlantic Conference and finished third. The team secured two regular-season wins each over Johnson State College and Thomas College, and two regular-season losses each to Colby-Sawyer and conference-winner Castleton.

            The Lady Hornets went on to lose to number-two seed Colby-Sawyer in the NEAC semifinals, effectively ending their 2011 campaign.

            Things have changed since then. In an added bonus, the team is welcoming back junior Maria Parr. Parr, who was an All-NEAC selection in 2010, did not attend LSC last year, but is back to compete with junior Kelsey Johnson for the number-two seed.

The Lady Hornets are returning six veterans in all: Kayla Flynn, Kelsey Johnson, Margaret George, Olivia Bernard, Kelly Butler, and Chelsea Watson. Flynn, the team's number-one seed, qualified for the first team in the NEAC.

             Fourth-year head coach Sue Henry believes that the return of Parr, along with the rest of the veteran group, makes for a strong team.

            "We have a great group of young women that returned to the tennis team. The return of Maria Parr helps our depth," Henry said.

            As for the freshman group, the Lady Hornets have added three new faces in Stephanie Burke, Heather Gibson, and Alex Maynard.

            Henry sees the freshmen as more of a developmental group.

            "They will be a little challenged to play college tennis now," Henry said.

            However, Henry thinks that Maynard may eventually be a diamond in the rough.

            "Alex has the potential to step up. She's quite, but she has a very nice stroke," Henry said.

            The 2012 group had its first test in a non-conference match against a very talented group of young women from Plattsburgh State. It was a very tough afternoon for the Lady Hornets, as Plattsburgh State swept both singles and doubles for a 9-0 win.

            Henry feels that the match was a learning experience for the team.

            "I saw a lot of good things," Henry said. Plattsburgh State is the toughest team that we're going to face. That match really set the bar."

            With that match against Plattsburgh State in the rear-view mirror, the Lady Hornets are going to need to step up for tomorrow's match against conference rival Colby-Sawyer.

            Henry thinks that preparation is going to be key for LSC to take the match.

            "Colby-Sawyer is going to be strong," Henry said. "We'll know how ready we are to play. I think if we get production from players at the bottom of our lineup, we can come away with that match. Of course, it all depends on if we're ready to play."

            Overall, Henry believes that the togetherness of these student-athletes can lead the Lady Hornets to where the team wants to be, which would involve capturing a first-ever division title.

            "This team is like a family," Henry said. "We very well could be a spoiler of the conference."