Otahkian netters open '04 season with new coach

Jay Pacelli doesn't see Southeast Missouri State University's women's tennis struggles in recent years as a major roadblock to building a strong program.

Instead, the Otahkians' first-year coach sees plenty of potential as Southeast prepares for today's season opener against Northern Iowa in Columbia, Mo. The first home match will be March 6 against Drury.

"That's why I'm here, to build a program," Pacelli said. "It's really a dream come true for me to run a Division I program, and I think we have the support from the administration and the community.

"I have lofty goals, and I think it can happen in a short period of time."

Pacelli was most previously the coach at Division II Mississippi University for Women, which dropped all athletic programs in July. He was elated to land the Southeast job after Mike Stevens resigned in August following just one season with the Otahkians.

"I came from a program that was dissolved. I'm thrilled to be here," he said.

The Otahkians have a 20-75 record over the past six seasons, including last year's 4-11 mark that included a seventh-place Ohio Valley Conference finish. Pacelli realizes rebuilding the program won't happen overnight, but he still looks for solid progress this season.

"I think it will take two years to really start seeing the turnaround, but I'm confident we can make progress this year," Pacelli said. "We have a really young team and it's going to take plenty of work, but so far the young ladies have done everything I've asked of them."

The Otahkians return two players from last season in seniors Daniela Garcia and Kay Ehlke. Both competed near the top of the lineup. Garcia is from Lima, Peru, and Ehlke hails from Casey, Ill.

"They're both leaders for us," Pacelli said.

Southeast figures to receive a lift from two former Jackson High School standouts, freshmen Kim Anderson and Kelly Mitchell.

Anderson was not sure if she would play this year as she continues her long recovery from a serious automobile accident that forced her to miss her entire junior season.

"I really didn't know if I was going to play, but I'm very excited," said Anderson, who went 39-3 in singles during her prep career and was a three-time state qualifier. "I didn't feel like I was completely ready to play, but I feel this is really going to help me down the line.

"I'm almost there. My endurance is three-fourths of the way there and every time I play I feel like I'm getting closer. I'm just glad to be a part of the team. Coach Pacelli is really upbeat and positive, and all the players have been great."

Said Pacelli, "We're really happy to have Kimmy and Kelly in our program. They should both help us a lot."

Rounding out the squad are three more first-year players: sophomore twins Krista and Kolby Hoebing from Quincy, Ill., and freshman Becky Prendergast from River Falls, Wis.

"We're going to be a mentally tough team, and we'll prepare better than any team in the conference," Pacelli said. "How that will translate into wins and losses this year I don't know, but I think we will make progress."