Women's Tennis
It truly is a new beginning for Geneva’s women’s tennis team. Having just completed its 2007 spring season, the Golden Tornadoes will do a quick turnaround to begin their first full fall season as a new member of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference and NCAA Division III. It will be the first time that Geneva will field a women’s tennis team in the fall semester. Head coach Mandee Craft will face some challenges with the change, but knows her team will rise to those challenges. “It is certainly a different feel having our girls get right into competition when they arrive for school,” said the seventh year head coach. “We are fortunate that we have some veterans and we won't be throwing a lot of newcomers directly into the fire.” Craft is fortunate to have six returning players, all of which have contributed to Geneva’s success in recent years. Jill Halama, the team’s number one singles player from the fall, is back for her senior season along with her senior counterparts Allison Krisza and Beth Sweatman. Halama also makes up half of Geneva’s number one doubles team along with sophomore Tess Roholt. Halama and Krisza are the only four year starters on the roster, but they will get help from returners Jill Grabski and Julie Buck. “We have some great senior leadership,” said Craft. “Our three seniors are really special and they have been great examples for the rest of our team throughout their careers. We are very hopeful that they will all have a memorable senior season.” Geneva’s veterans will get a lift by the arrival of a pair of newcomers to the program in 2007. Sophomore Bethany Ragonesi and freshman Katie Caldwell will make their first appearances on the college courts for Geneva this fall. “We are always excited about our newcomers,” said Craft. “It won't be easy for them to get right into the action, but we are hopeful that they will make an easy transition and help us by contributing fairly quickly.” Geneva will be faced with a difficult schedule, including some very strong teams in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. Geneva will also compete in the Penn State Behrend Invitational to begin the season and will welcome old time foe Seton Hill to Beaver Falls for the 2007 fall home opener. “We are looking forward to the challenges that are ahead of our program as a member of the PAC and NCAA Division III,” said Craft. “It is especially exciting for me because I can remember the old rivalries we had against some of these teams when I was a player. Hopefully, our young ladies will appreciate those match-ups as we become reacquainted with our old friends.” Although it has only been a few months since the 2007 spring season ended and the Golden Tornadoes will be playing a completely new schedule this fall, Coach Craft and the Golden Tornadoes are anxious to get started and begin a new era of Geneva women’s tennis. “We all know that one good thing is we don't have to wait very long to find out what kind of team we are going to have,” said Craft. “Our ladies better be ready to compete quickly because we won't have a whole lot of time to prepare for our first fall season in the PAC.” For more information on playing tennis at Geneva, contact: Admissions Office |
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