Tri-State University - Women's Tennis 2001 Outlook

The Tri-State University women’s tennis team hopes to return to the NAIA Regional Tournament this spring under head coach Bill Maddock.

The Thunder lost three key players from last year’s squad due to graduation: Nikki Post, Emily Shulack and Crystal Hardesty. Returning from the #1 and #2 singles will be seniors Jamie Rifenberg and Karen VanDerbeck. Rifenberg and VanDerbeck also paired up for a tough #1 doubles team. These seniors helped lead the way for the Thunder last fall to victories over Glen Oaks Community College (MI) and Defiance College (OH).

Senior Nicole Dygert and freshmen Jennifer Pape and Nicole Fisher will also contend for singles spots after gaining experience in competition last fall. Pape and Fisher also teamed up for the #2 doubles team in the fall. The #3 doubles team was composed of Dygert and freshman Beth Hancock. Junior Susan Brouse also competed in singles last fall.

Tri-State will play a tough schedule, including a number of NAIA and NCAA Division III teams. The NAIA teams include Spring Arbor University (MI), Aquinas College (MI), Indiana Wesleyan University, Huntington College (IN), Taylor University (IN) and Goshen College (IN). The Division III teams include Kalamazoo College (MI), Albion College (MI), Adrian College (MI), St. Mary’s College (IN), and Olivet College (MI).

Tri-State’s rigorous schedule will hopefully prepare them for regional competition.