With three days remaining before the Orange serves up the 2009 season, SU's two juniors, Chelsea Jones and Ashley Spicer, will be previewed along with a glimpse of SU's first opponent, Colgate University.
The 2009 championship tennis season starts up for the Syracuse women's tennis on Friday, Jan. 23 for a 4 pm match at Colgate. Following the season opener in Hamilton, N.Y., the Orange returns to its home court of the Drumlins Tennis Center for back-to-back matches against Niagara and Binghamton on Saturday, Jan. 24 and Sunday, Jan. 25. Saturday's fray will take place at 1 pm and Sunday's starts at 2:30 pm. Admission is free to anyone who wishes to cheer on the Orange.
Syracuse, under the guidance of head coach Luke Jensen, entertains the Purple Eagles after compiling an 11-14 overall mark in 2008 with an 8-7 record in the BIG EAST. The Orange finished tied for seventh in the conference. SU looks to build upon the momentum it mounted at the end of its regular season after the team defeated four of its last five opponents.
In 2009, Jensen will be joined on the sideline by assistant coach Shelley George and volunteer assistant coach Chuck Wiggins once again this season.
Jensen has plotted out this season's mantra as "Orange Energy".
"Orange Energy defines who we are here at Syracuse University," Jensen said. "In every practice, every workout and every match, Orange Energy will epitomize what this year's team represents. We will train and compete to our fullest potential and beyond in every aspect of our game."
The Orange returns two seasoned vets in Jones and Spicer. Jones was named Syracuse's most improved player last season by recording 17 more singles victories in her second go-round. She has totaled 28 wins in her two years at Syracuse and had a breakthrough run on the singles circuit last season with a 13-10 overall record. Jones and Spicer teamed up for a 6-6 record, including five consecutive victories, with hopes to build upon their preexisting chemistry.
"Jones and Spicer bring the emotional power and confidence to every practice and match," Jensen said. They are two prime examples of what Orange Energy is all about and they represent the essence of who we are at Syracuse. Because of Spicer and Jones, our practice is as high energy as any grand slam final. They fear no one on the tennis court and that translates to the rest of the team."
After transferring after her freshman season, Spicer nestled into her role with the Orange and was named the program's most valuable player. Spicer compiled SU's second best singles record of 15-10 in 2008 and totaled a team-best 36 wins (including fall). Spicer rolls into this season after winning seven of her final nine matches last year. In that stretch, she claimed victory in 18 consecutive decisions.
Checking Out Colgate (0-0, 0-0)
•Colgate concluded last season with an 11-13 overall mark and a 2-2 conference record.
•Colgate and Syracuse will act as each other's first opponent of the 2009 spring slate.
•Last time out, the Orange cleaned out Colgate with a convincing 7-0 victory.
•Colgate is coached by third-year coach Bobby Pennington and has led the Raiders to a 22-17 overall record in his last two seasons.
Chelsea Jones dominated CU's Jackie Stemmel, 6-0, 6-1, while Ashley Spicer and Simone Kalhorn crushed their opponents, 6-0, 6-3 and 6-3, 6-1, respectively. Spicer and Jones teamed to take out Cameron Williams and Stephanie Bender, 8-5, to aid in the doubles point.