North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Gears Up For Tournament Rematch Versus Duke
4/15/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
April 15, 2003
NCAA YES Clinic
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Complete Tournament Information
RALEIGH, N.C. -The ACC Women's Tennis Championships will get underway Thursday at the Millbrook Tennis Exchange Center in Raleigh. This is the second consecutive year the Exchange Center has hosted the event, and the second time in as many years that No. 9 NC State will face No. 1 Duke (23-2, 8-0 - No. 5 nationally) in the opening round. The Wolfpack enters the tournament as the nine-seed after finishing the season winless in the conference, and 7-11 overall.
Despite the record, the team has had its share of success this season. Senior Loni Worsley finished the regular season at 6-2 in the conference, including a win over then-ranked No. 31 Saras Arusu of Duke. The two will face off again on Thursday as the number three seeds for their teams. Worsley received her first career ranking by the ITA this year during a streak of six consecutive wins. Worsley has a season record of 12-6.
Jennifer Jassawalla has also played well against the ACC and finished the year with a record of 5-3 in the league, and was undefeated as a six-seed. She finished the season with an overall record of 11-7.
Coach Hans Olsen has seen his team make many improvements over the past season. Only in his second year at the helm, he and assistant Christa Grey have changed the face of Wolfpack Tennis.
"Coach Olsen has really helped me and my game this season," says Worsley, who was named co-player of the week back in March. "One of his best qualities is that he emphasizes the positives to get you through the negatives. He has a great attitude and wants each of his student-athletes to perform well on and off of the court."
Heading into Thursday's match up with the Blue Devils, the coaching staff and team know they will face a challenge, but will not back down.
"The team has really shown its character this season, and particularly in the latter half of the year," says Olsen. "We have been so close to winning in a number of late-season matches. Our team has chosen to build from each match and carry forward the success it finds in the previous match to the next. Duke poses a real challenge, but we will do all we can to rise to the occasion."
NC State lost to Duke in the first round of the tournament last season, 4-0. In tournament play, the first team to four points clinches the win and the match is ended. The teams will meet at 1 p.m. in the second match of the day. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students with college ID, children nine and over and senior citizens. Children under the age of eight are admitted free of charge. Tournament passes can be purchased by adults for $12, and by students, children and seniors for $8.
Children ages 10-18 are encouraged to register for the NCAA YES Clinic, which will be held Thursday from 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Participants will receive a free tee-shirt and handouts, and will take part in conditioning and life skills sessions, as well as enjoy a number of icebreakers and fun games. For more information and to register, call 919-872-4128.
NC State Line-up Duke Line-up #1 - Kristin Lam #1 - Kelly McCain #2 - Virginia Romero #2 - Amanda Johnson #3 - Loni Worsley #3 - Saras Arusu #4 - Danielle Stadelmann #4 - Julia DeRoo #5 - Myrna Bawono #5 - Hillary Adams #6 - Jennifer Jassawalla #6 - Katie Blaszak
Directions to the Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center:
* Take Inner Belt Line to Wake Forest Road Exit
* Go left on Wake Forest Road, it will turn into Falls of the Neuse
* Take a right onto Spring Forest Road
* Travel for approximately a mile and look for a firehouse on the left
* Look for a sign that reads Exchange Park and take the road to the back of the complex
