Saturday, January 25
Bethlehem, Pa.
10:00 A.M.
Lehigh University
vs
Saint Francis
Women's Tennis primed for first match of the season against Saint Francis
1/24/2020 11:14:00 AM | Women's Tennis
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – New year, new beginnings! After a successful fall play for the Lehigh women's tennis team, the Mountain Hawks will officially begin their season on Saturday inside the Lewis Indoor Tennis Center against the Saint Francis Red Flash at 2:00 p.m.
Last year, the Brown and White finished the season with an 8-11 record, while going 3-4 in Patriot League play. For the victories in non-conference play, Lehigh got the best of Siena, Saint Francis, Mount St. Mary's and La Salle. In the postseason, Lehigh dropped a contest to Army West Point in the quarterfinals.
WELCOME LILY
You will not be seeing head coach Sarah Hendrix until mid-March. Why? Well, coach Hendrix and her husband, Wouter, welcomed their daughter into the world. On January 7, Lily Elizabeth Hendrix was born.
TEMPORARY COACH
With the absence of Hendrix in the first part of the season, Lehigh announced Hannah Flecksentein as the temporary coach. Fleckenstein was a four-year standout at Colgate University, while then being the assistant coach at Hamilton College for the past season.
QUOTABLE
"I just met the girls on Monday and I'm very excited," expressed temporary coach Hannah Fleckenstein. "We really just spent a lot of time getting to know each other. I want to get to know them as a person, as well as their style of play. One thing I noticed right away is how they all gel nicely together. Everyone is positive and supports each other and that's a key for success.
LET'S GET IT STARTED
This year's team features the return of five of the top seven players from a season ago. The Mountain Hawks lost Elizabeth Nowak (11 wins) and Grace Lin (six wins). The Brown and White return four players who contributed at least six or more wins from last season. Expect more confidence and better play from those four in Sibel Can, Paula Gonzalez, Catherine Meighan and Casey Zhong.
FRESHMEN FURY
Despite the returning the majority of her team, coach Hendrix brought in two highly recruited new faces in Junmoke James and Ella Imhof. Competing for Lehigh for the first time, Junmoke jetted out of the gates with a 10-1 mark in singles play, while Imhof impressed with a 4-4 record.
QUOTABLE
From a tennis standpoint, I'm trying to carry on what Sarah has installed here. From a personal standpoint, I want to set an example of open communication with the team. I'm very excited for Saturday. There are nerves and jitters, but that just means that they care. All I ask is that they leave it all out on the court.
SCOUTING SAINT FRANCIS
The Red Flash have already begun their season, dropping a road contest to the Morgan State Bears, 4-0. The Red Flash also suffered losses to Towson and Navy. Saint Francis returns its top two singles players from last year in Laura Gutierrez and Lucia Seigford. Last year, the NEC school went 3-17.
LAST MEETING
Last year, the Brown and White defeated the Red Flash, 6-1. Lehigh won five singles matches and took all three doubles matches.
UP NEXT
After Saturday's bout against Saint Francis, the Mountain Hawks will have a week to prepare until their next match. They will then welcome in the Siena Saints next Saturday for a 5:00 p.m. match.
Last year, the Brown and White finished the season with an 8-11 record, while going 3-4 in Patriot League play. For the victories in non-conference play, Lehigh got the best of Siena, Saint Francis, Mount St. Mary's and La Salle. In the postseason, Lehigh dropped a contest to Army West Point in the quarterfinals.
WELCOME LILY
You will not be seeing head coach Sarah Hendrix until mid-March. Why? Well, coach Hendrix and her husband, Wouter, welcomed their daughter into the world. On January 7, Lily Elizabeth Hendrix was born.
TEMPORARY COACH
With the absence of Hendrix in the first part of the season, Lehigh announced Hannah Flecksentein as the temporary coach. Fleckenstein was a four-year standout at Colgate University, while then being the assistant coach at Hamilton College for the past season.
QUOTABLE
"I just met the girls on Monday and I'm very excited," expressed temporary coach Hannah Fleckenstein. "We really just spent a lot of time getting to know each other. I want to get to know them as a person, as well as their style of play. One thing I noticed right away is how they all gel nicely together. Everyone is positive and supports each other and that's a key for success.
LET'S GET IT STARTED
This year's team features the return of five of the top seven players from a season ago. The Mountain Hawks lost Elizabeth Nowak (11 wins) and Grace Lin (six wins). The Brown and White return four players who contributed at least six or more wins from last season. Expect more confidence and better play from those four in Sibel Can, Paula Gonzalez, Catherine Meighan and Casey Zhong.
FRESHMEN FURY
Despite the returning the majority of her team, coach Hendrix brought in two highly recruited new faces in Junmoke James and Ella Imhof. Competing for Lehigh for the first time, Junmoke jetted out of the gates with a 10-1 mark in singles play, while Imhof impressed with a 4-4 record.
QUOTABLE
From a tennis standpoint, I'm trying to carry on what Sarah has installed here. From a personal standpoint, I want to set an example of open communication with the team. I'm very excited for Saturday. There are nerves and jitters, but that just means that they care. All I ask is that they leave it all out on the court.
SCOUTING SAINT FRANCIS
The Red Flash have already begun their season, dropping a road contest to the Morgan State Bears, 4-0. The Red Flash also suffered losses to Towson and Navy. Saint Francis returns its top two singles players from last year in Laura Gutierrez and Lucia Seigford. Last year, the NEC school went 3-17.
LAST MEETING
Last year, the Brown and White defeated the Red Flash, 6-1. Lehigh won five singles matches and took all three doubles matches.
UP NEXT
After Saturday's bout against Saint Francis, the Mountain Hawks will have a week to prepare until their next match. They will then welcome in the Siena Saints next Saturday for a 5:00 p.m. match.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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