SALISBURY, Md. - The Salisbury University
women's tennis team continued its winning ways in 2007 as the Sea
Gulls posted a 13-8 overall record, it's best mark since the 2002
season. Salisbury went 6-1 in the Capital Athletic Conference as
the Gulls only setback came against national powerhouse University
of Mary Washington.
Salisbury was led by seniors Erika Mitry and
Jenny Rosler. The senior duo led the Gulls to
their third winning season in their four-years wearing the maroon
and gold.
"They went to No. 1 and No. 2 singles in their sophomore year so
they had to grow up quickly on and off the court," said SU coach
Randy Halfpap. "They responded great [ever
since]."
Mitry, who was named the 2007 Team MVP, compiled an 8-10 singles
record facing top opponents from around the nation. In her final
match at Salisbury, Mitry downed Muhlenberg's No. 1 Jenn Powell
6-1, 7-5. Mitry was an All-CAC second team No. 1 singles and No. 1
doubles selection.
"Erika played an outstanding match, maybe the best of her
four-year career," said Halfpap of Mitry's last match as a Sea
Gull.
Rosler finished with a winning mark in both singles and doubles
competition. In CAC singles play, Rosler lost only once in five
matches. The leadership role Rosler and Mitry brought to the
youthful Sea Gull team was vital. Rosler was All-CAC second team
No. 1 doubles with Mitry.
One of the young standouts for Salisbury was sophomore
Anna Marie Kable. Kable will likely step into one
of the top spots vacated by graduation of Mitry and Rosler as she
posted a 17-3 mark in doubles and an 11-7 record in singles play.
Fellow sophomore Hannah Parsons will also be
called upon to fill the big shoes of the departing seniors. Parsons
along with sophomore teammate Robyn Wendell were
named to the All-CAC first team in No. 3 doubles.
Freshmen Kelly Fahrner, Rachel
Iosue, and Jackie Burr got significant
match experience in 2007 and were all named to the All-CAC second
team. In singles competition Fahrner went 13-7, Iosue went 14-6 and
Burr finished 3-0. Burr also recorded a stellar 15-2 mark paired
with Kable in No. 2 doubles where they earned All-CAC honors on the
second team.
"We all had a lot of heart. We were a young team," said Mitry.
"It was neat watching the freshmen improve in their match play
throughout the season."
As for Halfpap, he knows the tough '07 schedule will pay
dividends in the coming years.
"We became more competitive throughout the season," said
Halfpap. "We started really wanting to win and they began putting a
priority on their results."
Those results have a great chance to continue improving as
Salisbury's No. 3-11 players were all freshmen and sophomores. The
SU freshmen and sophomores compiled a 62-29 singles record in 2007.
The record was even better in doubles matches as the young Gulls
finished 36-8.
"We have a lot of players coming back and a lot of the freshmen
gained valuable experience this year," said Kable. "I am sure we
are going to come out firing next season."
The Gulls hope to use the lessons from this season and apply
them to next year when Salisbury will aim for its first conference
crown since 2003.
