KUTZTOWN, Pa. (March 29, 2011) – Depending upon one's perspective, sleep is pretty overrated.
However, senior Tess Wright (Lewisburg, PA/Lewisburg Area) would've gladly traded places with anybody who enjoyed a good night's sleep the evening before she helped the Kutztown University women's tennis team defeat Shippensburg University, 6-3, in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Division opener for both teams Tuesday afternoon.
Wright played like she had a full night's rest in winning at No. 2 singles in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1. She then teamed with freshman Tori Zander (Pennsburg, PA/Upper Perkiomen) at No. 2 doubles to post a convincing 8-0 victory. Of the course, the night before, Wright did what many college students do and pull close to an all-nighter. The only difference was that Wright was awake finishing her communication design project.
“I didn't get much sleep Monday night,” Wright said. “But I knew my team needed me today, so I just focused on helping us get a win as much as I could. It's been tough to balance my academics and tennis, but I've been managing.”
As the only senior on a young team, Wright has been an awesome leader for the Golden Bears. She has led by example. Wright shows up to every practice and works hard on every shot. With the Golden Bears losing their top player from last season, Rohini Das (Kolkata, INDIA/) to graduation, and their top returning player this year in sophomore Ridhima Borooah (Guwahati-Assam, India/Modern School; Barakhamba Road; New Delhi) to an injury, Wright and the rest of the Golden Bears have adjusted to their new roles with ease.
For instance, the No. 1 doubles pairing is Chelsea White (Landenberg, PA/Avon Grove) and Rachel Grula (Drums, PA/Hazleton Area). They have shown tremendous growth as the season has progressed. They helped set the tone for the victory over Shippensburg by winning 8-2 at No. 1 doubles. Veteran women's tennis coach Suresh Ramamurthi believes he has the perfect pairing for his doubles squad because he's been able to combine the talents of each player.
Zander is enjoying her role on the KU tennis team. She sat out last semester to concentrate on her schoolwork. Thanks to White's persistence, Zander joined the team this semester and she is having a blast. Zander was one of four singles' winners for the Golden Bears. Zander won her match, 6-0, 6-1, at No. 3 singles. White rolled to a pair of 6-0, 6-0 triumphs at No. 4 singles. Grula claimed a 6-1, 6-4 win at No. 1 singles.
“I've played tennis my whole life,” Zander said. “I am glad I am a part of this team because we're like a family. I love the team. I feel like I've improved a lot since the start of the year and Tess has been a good leader. I think as a whole, both of our doubles teams are doing really well.”
The Golden Bears may have only five players, including freshman Brittany Parsons (Mechanicsburg, PA/Mechanicsburg), but they are focused on returning to the playoffs again this season. They will continue PSAC action Friday when they visit East Stroudsburg University Friday afternoon and host Cheyney University Saturday morning.
“I am very pleased with how the women are playing as a whole,” Ramamurthi said. “They've all stepped up. They're all playing above a level than where they should be playing. Tess is very supportive and positive. She really wants to finish the season strong.”
Kutztown 6, Shippensburg 3
Singles
Rachel Grula (Drums, PA/Hazleton Area) (KU) d. Hannah Lolley, 6-1, 6-4
Tess Wright (Lewisburg, PA/Lewisburg Area) (KU) d. Cassie Sidone, 6-4, 6-1
Tori Zander (Pennsburg, PA/Upper Perkiomen) (KU) d. Lisa Snader, 6-0, 6-1
Chelsea White (Landenberg, PA/Avon Grove) (KU) d. Laura Babetski, 6-0, 6-0
Daniela Delgado (SU) d. Brittany Parsons (Mechanicsburg, PA/Mechanicsburg), 7-5, 6-1
Kane (SU) wins by default
Doubles
White/Grula (KU) d. Lolley/Sidone, 8-2
Wright/Zander (KU) d. Snader/Kane, 8-0
Delgado/Hannah Wolfe (SU) wins by default
--KU--
