Lehigh University Athletics
2002 Preview
9/24/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
With five returning singles players and two very talented freshmen entering the scene, Lehigh is primed for another successful season and this time it has the big match experience needed to go to the next level. Last year the Mountain Hawks earned a number one seed in the Patriot League Tournament but were knocked off in the first round by the eventual champion, Army. Coach Dave Shook chalked the loss up as a lack of experience but knows his team has the talent to be one of the best in the league this season. "We were right there last season we just lacked the big match experience that Army and Colgate have," said Shook. "I think being the top seed put a little added pressure on our team that we weren’t used to. Now we’ve been there and we know what to expect." Leading the way for the Mountain Hawks will be All-Patriot League selection and number one singles champion Rachel Samson. Last season as a freshman, Samson lost just two matches and was undefeated in the Patriot League winning the number one singles championship in the fall. "Rachel was the best player in the league last year and she keeps getting better," added Shook. "She hates to lose and does everything in her power to win. I believe she can again be the top player in the league and can make an impact out of league as well." Playing number two singles will be senior Erica Feinman who with Samson provided the best one two punch in the Patriot League with a 19-5 combined record. Feinman finished 8-3 overall and with Samson posted a 9-3 doubles record, good for an All-League doubles selection. As co-captain, her leadership and experience will be the backbone of this year’s team and according to Shook the success of the team will be predicated on her success. "Erica learned how to win last year and I expect big things from her this year," said Shook. "I wouldn’t be surprised if she challenges Rachel for the number one spot; she’s that good and that competitive." Expect intense competition for the four remaining singles spots as returning players senior Meggan Dencker, junior Andrea Scott, sophomores Alina Kors and Renee Kaplan, and senior Julie Moscow will be battling two very talented freshmen for positions in the singles lineup. A co-captain this season, Dencker posted a 7-4 record at fourth singles last season and showed signs of improvement all year long. She is the leading contender at number three and her senior leadership will be needed for the Mountain Hawks to be successful. Junior Andrea Scott and sophomore Alina Kors played fifth and sixth singles respectively last season and figure to be in the lineup again this season. Senior Julie Moscow and sophomore Renee Kaplan will add depth in the doubles lineup and will battle for singles roles. Freshmen Jamie Faas and Kristin Mulstay are expected to have an immediate impact on both the singles and double lineups but will rely on the upperclassmen for leadership and guidance. Faas was a four year number one singles player in high school and finished 21-3 her senior season. Mulstay ranked in the top 20 in the ETA and played number two singles for her high school team. She lost just two matches her entire high school career and led her team to three straight undefeated seasons. "I’m really excited about having Jamie and Kristin in the program," added Shook. "To have players of their caliber in our program says great things about the direction our program is headed." Lehigh has continued to enhance its schedule by adding top teams to its non-league schedule. The Mountain Hawks are slated to play Rutgers, Temple, and Delaware in addition to their rigorous league schedule. The Patriot League is intensely competitive with Army winning the last three titles. The addition of American will enhance the quality of the league and make it more competitive. Look for the Mountain Hawks to be a top contender this year as the entire pack looks to dethrone the Black Knights.
