Women's tennis team creating a "racquer

by Ben Lunn editor in chief

With a tournament already under their belts, this year's women's tennis team begins their new season. After a school record of 11 straight winning seasons, this year may be a change of pace, but that doesn't worry head coach Reggie Day.

After the loss of a great deal of players to graduation, transfers and other end-of-year problems, this year is one that sophomore Melissa Shannon calls "a rebuilding year." Junior co-captain Lori Gibbons thinks that although a lot of the starters from last year graduated, this year's team "will pull through and do ok."

Day feels that with co-captain Nicole Klimas as the only senior on the team this year, there will be a lot of players left who will grow in the years to come. One of those who have already shown improvement is Shannon. "She's improved a great deal over last year and will continue to improve this year."

According to Day, the players to watch this season will be Gibbons and Gina Virelli both of whom are juniors. He does admit that Gibbons and Virelli will have a lot of expectations riding on their shoulders, but remains confident in their abilities.

As for last Friday's tournament, most of the team lost in the first two rounds, with Shannon losing in the finals. Day is proud of his team and although he feels that it remains to be seen how they will stand against the rest of the teams, all of whom have lost many players, he is happy that his team will always try. "I don't think that we will ever have to worry about them not trying, said are three freshman runners: JenSy Chris Nielsen nifer Pryznski, Andrea Dragone, perspectives editor and Jen Coots. At the first meet of the season, which took place at Ursinus College, all the runners had "strong individual performances," according to Zielinski.

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Not just anyone would choose to participate in a sport that consists of racing for three or five miles every weekend. As a matter of fact, there are very few students at Cabrini who choose to run cross-country. Fortunately, those few who do have high hopes for this season.

Both the men's and the women's teams are looking to "three-peat" in the competition for the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference championship. However, both teams will have to do so without a number of key runners from last year's squad.

The men's team also has to deal with a lack.of depth. As of now, there are only seven runners on the team. Like the women's team, the men have lost a few key runners from last year's championship team.

Oneofttii women's tennis 'players prepares to takea shotin practice.

The women's tennisteam plays theirnextgame on SSturday, Sept 11 against CheyneyUniversity.

According to head coach Tom O'Hora, the women's team has lost six of their top eight finishers from last season. Of the returning runners, team captain Lauren Dean and sophomore Kristin Zielinski will be highly depended on. Both runners are returning from All-PAC seasons and are favored to repeat.

Although this season is being considered a rebuilding one for obvious reasons, O'Hora expects the team to "survive very nicely." Making a strong early impression

"Initially, we were skeptical without Ryan, but now we think we'll be alright," said junior Jason Bull, referring to former teammate Ryan Jones. Despite their losses, the men's team are still favored to repeat as PAC champions.

O'Hora reports that the men's team "held their own at the practice meet" at Ursinus. Bull, sophomore Patrick Hutton and junior Dom Staino had solid performances at the meet. Also expected to contribute is sophomore Joe Butler, who is running cross country for the first time this season.

While the team is definitely building for the future, the present looks promising as well.

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iphoto taken by Janice Funk

Day believes that the tennis team will always give their best, and that will be all they need. "A winner is someone who goes onto a court and gives their best, regardless of the score." That is what he wants all to remember. As long as they try, they will be winners.