Otahkians approach the net with more confidence in '02

Southeast Missouri State University women's tennis coach Donna Ryan is confident that her young and inexperienced squad will begin to make solid strides this year.

The Otahkians, who have only six players -- the amount necessary to field a full lineup -- went 0-7 in Ohio Valley Conference matches last season, although they did finish 5-13 overall.

"I'm really pleased with this team. They're hard workers and they've got a great attitude," said Ryan, entering her fifth season as the Otahkians' coach. "I'm confident we'll be able to win an OVC match and qualify for the conference tournament."

Southeast officially opens the season today with an indoor match at St. Louis University. The Otahkians will have another indoor road match Sunday against Missouri.

While those contests will count on the Otahkians' record, their spring season will begin in earnest March 13 when they visit OVC foe Murray State. Southeast will have just one home match, April 11 against Eastern Illinois.

"The conference schedules the matches and that's just the way it worked out this year, but we hope to have more home matches next year," she said.

Southeast's roster features a junior, three sophomores and two freshmen. Only two of the six saw action for the Otahkians last season, junior Adrienne Bland and sophomore Kay Ehlke, a walk-on who was a pleasant surprise last year as she posted a 7-8 singles record, mostly in the No. 6 spot.

Sophomore Andrea Aldana also returns, although she missed all of the 2001 spring season with an ankle injury and received a medical redshirt.

Three newcomers fill out the squad: Daniela Garcia, a sophomore transfer from Indiana State; freshmen Tyla Wells; and freshman walk-on Cassie Foster.

Garcia and Wells, who won two of three singles matches during the fall season, will man the top two spots, although not necessarily in that order. Bland will be at No. 3, followed by Aldana, Foster and Ehlke.

"We went 2-1 in the fall and that was encouraging. The girls feel real good about that," Ryan said. "We're so young and we're going to do nothing but get better and stronger. The years ahead look good."

(573)335-6611, extension 132 mmishow@semissouiran.com