North Carolina State University Athletics
Pack Duo Chases National Title
5/23/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
May 23, 2011
RALEIGH, N.C. - Sanna Bhambri and Sandhya Nagaraj are an intriguing tennis tandem, one that produces volume as well as volleys on the court.
The NC State roommates complement each other with different personalities, contrasting styles and a similar ambition, all reasons they are taking a No. 17 doubles ranking into the women's NCAA round of 32 that starts Wednesday in Palo Alto, Calif.
Bhambri, the Pack's No. 1 player, earned a berth in the singles draw as well.
Former championship partners in India, the Wolfpack standouts also are known for spicing matches with their vocal exchanges.
“Their communication is interesting,” Coach Hans Olsen said. “They are like two sisters bickering. It’s funny to see them taking jabs at each other. They get on each other and it’s okay.”
Nagaraj laughs about their verbal volleying, which both players let roll off their racquets and keep swinging. On an errant shot, one might snap "why did you hit it there?" On the other hand, they edify and encourage each other.
“We couldn’t do that (jawing) if we were playing with another partner,’’ said Nagaraj, whose friendship with Bhambri goes back several years when they teamed up in pro tournaments and won the India national doubles championship in 2005.
All jabbering aside, Bhambri and Nagaraj are two reasons the Wolfpack gained a No. 25 national team ranking this spring. Overall, they have good chemistry and know each other’s instincts, Olsen noted.
In addition to solid strokes, the more effusive Nagaraj brings “energy” to the matches while the more reserved Bhambri provides a calming influence.
Technically, Bhambri is a left-hander who always touches the line before stepping on the court. Nagaraj, not ritualistic, is righthanded. That affords each to play a backhand side and rip more forehands on mid-court shots. As for overheads, opponents might as well duck. Both are deadly on lobs.
With the varied shot repertoire and experience, Bhambri -- a graduate student earning a masters degree -- and Nagaraj, more seasoned than most college juniors, have reasons to be confident this week.
LEAVING HOME
It’s a long way from the heart of India to N.C. State’s campus, roughly 8,500 miles as a crow or an airplane flies.
Nagaraj discovered NCSU through friend Nandita Chanereseker, a former Wolfpack standout, and joined Olsen’s program in 2008 after spending two years as a touring pro in Spain.
Also credit Nagaraj with helping recruit Bhambri, who had one year of eligibility remaining after she had earned an undergraduate degree in India.
"Sandhya brought me (Sanaa's) name; I had forgotten about her,” said Olsen, who recruited Bhambri several years earlier.
Turns out, Bhambri wanted to get a masters in business administration, liked State and the idea of playing again with Nagaraj. They live in a Wolf Village apartment and both initially went through periods of adjustment, adapting to a different culture and the separation from their families.
Nagaraj worked to re-develop study habits after her academic layoff in Spain. She also cultivated a taste for American cuisine, particularly pasta and sandwiches, but eats no meat.
Bhambri, who found a comfort zone second semester, prefers an Indian diet -- curry, bread and rice and “a little” meat. She’s more of the homebody who unwinds listening to calming music, discussing the day’s activities, and “reading GoPack.” Nagaraj likes enjoys reading and hanging out with friends.
EARLY STARTS
Both players got hooked on tennis as little girls. Bhambri, whose sister Ankita played professionally and brother Yuki, a current touring pro, took up the game at age 6. Nagaraj began wielding a racket at 9.
Unlike some early starters, neither has ever experienced burnout. And now their competitive fires are flaming as brightly as the North Star heading into the NCAA’s round of 32, where only one previous Wolfpack women’s doubles team has ventured.
“We’ve got to keep a positive mindset,’’ Bhambri emphasized. “We’ve got everything to win and everything to play for.”
RISK & REWARD
Bhambri doesn’t take as many risks as the more freewheeling Nagaraj, but has weapons that serve her well in both singles and doubles.
Olsen cited her mobility, intensity and a forceful cross-court forehand that allows her to attack the net, where she volleys efficiently.
Bhambri, whose 13-8 singles record includes a win over Southern Cal’s No. 10th ranked Danielle Lao, stays in the moment. Translated, that means doing a “great job playing one point at a time,” Olsen said.
While Bhambri's parents wanted her to remain in India and get an undergraduate degree before exploring another country, she is grateful Olsen gave her a second chance to play with the Wolfpack.
“It is a sweet gift to get a scholarship and play one year of (college) tennis,’’ Bhambri said. “It was a big risk for him to take (me) for one year.”
It's a risk that produced a reward for the coach and the Pack.
By A.J. Carr
