October 6, 2006

W. Netters Take On USAFA

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As campus clears out for fall break, the women’s tennis team will head out to Colorado Springs to play in the United States Air Force Academy Invitational this weekend. This will be the Red’s first ever trip to the USAFA Invitational, and Cornell will face many new opponents including Air Force, Denver, and Colorado.

“We’ve never been there,” said senior co-captain Nisha Suda. “I think it will be good for us to see something new.”
[img_assist|nid=18826|title=Inside out|desc=Senior Nisha Suda (pictured) steps around a backhand during a match at the Cornell Fall Invitational this year. (Ryan Dunn / Sun Staff)|link=popup|align=left|width=85|height=100]
The women’s tennis team got off to a strong start this season after two victories in the Cornell Fall Invitational. The Red then sent three players to compete in the highly competitive Cissie Leary Invitational. Unfortunately, these women were not able to pull off any victories, but they still managed a solid performance.

“I think we’re all playing really well,” said sophomore Tamara John. “We’ve been practicing really hard this year and I think we’re tournament tough.”

John did not have the performance she hoped for in last week’s Cissie Leary Invitational, but she believes that she can make a strong comeback when the team heads out to Colorado.

“I’m definitely ready to compete in this tournament,” John said. “I really want to finish in the top of my flight.”

The netters will bring their entire team out to Colorado so the whole squad can experience the tournament and also have some well-deserved relaxation time.

“Our team is very fit this season,” Suda said. “I think our coach has been great and really helped us with our strength and conditioning.”

The Red’s effort in its practice routine has reflected positively in results so far this season and will hopefully prepare the squad for its upcoming tournaments.

“We’ve had really good practices so far,” said head coach Laura Glitz. “I think we’ll be prepared.”

The high altitude will be an interesting concern for the Red when it heads to Colorado this weekend. The team has never been to this tournament before so it is not exactly sure how it will affect play.

“The altitude up there could be a problem,” Suda said. “I hope the balls don’t just fly off the court.”

The netters are led by senior co-captains Kasia Preneta and Nisha Suda, but they also have a very deep and talented group of underclassmen, including sophomore Elizabeth Googe, who won the flight singles championship at the Cornell Fall Invitational.

“This year we have so many returning players,” Suda said. “It’s a real strength for us.”

The Red has numerous strengths this season and hopes its aspirations stay intact despite the thinning air in Colorado Springs.

“We want to go out there and get great competition,” Glitz said. “We hope to get some good wins.”

The netters expect to have a solid experience out in Colorado and gather momentum as they approach the depth of their fall season.

“I think we’re going to do really well this tournament,” John said. “We want to sweep the flights.”

The Red still believe it can attain its beginning goal of winning the Ivy League and looks to prove itself even further as it travels to the United States Air Force Academy this weekend.