Wake Forest Athletics
1998 Season Outlook
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - And the beat goes on. Such is the way of life for the Wake Forest women's tennis program. The names and faces change, but the results always remain the same: four consecutive trips to the NCAA Championships and three straight Atlantic Coast Conference runner-up seasons. Last year, Wake Forest finished with a 19-7 record and a No. 11 national ranking.
In 1998, the Demon Deacons look to continue the success of the past while aiming for the Atlantic Coast Conference championship and a fifth consecutive NCAA Championships appearance.
The road to success will not be easy, as Wake Forest lost two all-ACC performers from a year ago, but head coach Lew Gerrard likes what he sees in this year's squad.
"Having lost our number one and two players, the emphasis on this year's team is to really step it up a level if we want to continue our success," begins Gerrard. "Judging on what happened in the fall, we have the talent and the work ethic that will give us a chance to challenge for the ACC title.
"Our players realize what is required for them to be successful," continues Gerrard. "With the right attitude we can be a very strong team. Our goals remain the same-to win the ACC and be ranked nationally in the Top 10. If we continue to work hard, we have a good chance to achieve our goals."
Leading the way for Gerrard's squad is senior Lule Aydin (Coopersburg, PA). Aydin, a three-year letterwinner and captain of the 1998 squad, was an all-ACC selection and conference champion at No. 4 singles last year after posting a perfect 6-0 record in ACC play. She finished the 1997 season with a 27-13 overall record and competed in the NCAA Doubles Championships.
"Lule is playing the best tennis of her career," says Gerrard. "And for the first time, she is injury free. Her game is at a level where we thought it could be and we count on her to be a big contributor this year."
Senior Terri Hiete (Pacific Palisades, CA) will also be counted on for her leadership and experience. Hiete is a veteran who has been a part of three Wake Forest teams to advance to the NCAA Championships. She posted a 13-5 overall singles record last year.
"Being a senior, we are looking to Terri to provide strong leadership," says Gerrard. "She will be able to lead the younger players because of her experience. In addition, she has worked hard to improve her individual game which will help our team as a whole."
Junior Nicola Kaiwai (Well-ington, New Zealand) will anchor the Demon Deacon lineup. An all-ACC performer in 1996 and 1997, Kaiwai won 26 matches a year ago and was the ACC Champion at No. 3 singles with a 7-1 record. She finished the 1997 season with an individual ranking of #91 in singles and #24 in doubles.
"Nicola is playing the best tennis of her career," says Gerrard. "She will probably play No. 1 singles for us and I have every faith in her that she can lead the team to good results. She is a legitimate No. 1 player and has a good chance to win against all opponents."
Fellow junior Caroline Ullring (Oslo, Norway) is recovering from injuries and will challenge for playing time in the singles lineup. After finishing the 1997 season with a 21-6 doubles record, Gerrard will count on her to provide solid play in that area again this year.
"Caroline had an unfortunate stress fracture in her leg during the fall and we are hoping that her recovery will be sooner rather than later," Gerrard says. "We are counting on her for strong help in doubles, while she should also challenge for playing time in singles."
After leading the team in victories with 28 wins last year, sophomore Annemarie Milton (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) will be a key ingredient to the Wake Forest team. Milton suffered a shoulder injury over the summer and has spent the fall regaining her strength.
"If Annemarie continues to work on regaining the power that she displayed last year, she will certainly equal her success of last season," says Gerrard. "She is a talented player on the court and is also our leader in workouts off the court. With her dedication, she will return to form this spring."
Freshman Dorothee Kurz (Pfor-zheim, Germany) is one of two talented newcomers to Wake Forest this year. Kurz turned in some outstanding results during the fall season and should be a key contributor this spring.
"After Dorothee settled into the American college lifestyle, her game really came together in the fall," says Gerrard. "She proved to be one of the better players in the ACC after reaching the semifinals of the Rolex Indoor Championships. We are expecting her to be a Top 30 national player in the near future and have a major impact on the ACC this spring."
Freshman Jackie Houston (Kings Mountain, NC) is another outstanding newcomer to the Wake Forest program. A former North Carolina High School Athlete of the Year, Houston is an outstanding athlete who should develop into a top-notch tennis player.
"After having a relaxed summer, it took Jackie most of the fall to find her game," Gerrard says. "She is certainly the fastest player on our team and may be one of the fastest in the country. With her athletic ability, I expect her to improve each year and become one of the better players in the country."
Gerrard feels that he has all of the necessary ingredients to challenge for the ACC Championship and make another run at the NCAA Championships in 1998. His team is focused and determined with very clear goals in mind.
"We have come a long way from our first practice to the end of the fall season," says Gerrard. "If we continue to work together towards the same goals, our future looks very good."
And the beat still goes on for Wake Forest women's tennis.
