PREVIEW: Bruin Women’s Tennis Small in Numbers but Improved in Talent in 2011

NEWBERG, Ore. - While the number of players on the George Fox University women’s tennis team will not be much larger than last year, head coach Rick Cruz, entering his 11th season with the women’s program at his alma mater, believes the 2010-11 Bruins are a more talented group and will show significant improvement in the upcoming spring season.

“We spent most of last season short-handed, with only five players,” recalls Cruz.  “As a result, we often found ourselves down 0-2 before the match even got started because we would have to forfeit the No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles.”

Cruz doesn’t expect that to happen again, pointing to a roster of eight players, although one of those who played in the fall, Mollee Robinson (Sr., Powell Butte, Ore. / Crook County HS), is studying abroad this semester and will not likely not return in time to compete at all this spring. 

“Mollee has been a big part of our program for four years and we’ll miss her,” admits Cruz, “but with three talented newcomers to go with our four other returning players, we should still be more competitive than last year.  Our overall expectations are certainly higher, provided we can stay healthy and do the little things it takes to win.”

The Bruins are coming off an 0-17 record last year and a ninth-place finish in the Northwest Conference at 0-16.  They will not go winless this season, however, having already posted a 5-4 win over Lewis & Clark College in a dual match during the fall portion of the season.

Leading the Bruins into the spring session is Second Team All-Conference selection Molly Beaumont (So., Bellingham, Wash. / Bellingham HS), who went 6-11 at No. 1 singles and the same at No. 1 doubles in an impressive rookie season.

“Molly is a real team leader,” says Cruz.  “She brings not only tremendous talent, but mental toughness, to the court.  With a year under her belt, she knows what to look for from the rest of the conference, and should be ready for a fine season as our No. 1.”

Expected to compete for the second and third singles positions are newcomers Alyssa Emoto (Fr., Gresham, Ore. / Gresham HS) and Shaina Inn (Fr., Honolulu, Hawai’i / Hawai’i Baptist Academy).

“With seasoning and increased confidence, Alyssa has a chance to be an impact player in our league,” Cruz asserts.  “She has some of the bigger ground strokes on the team, and just needs added consistency and toughness to be a fine college player.  She has the ability to even push Molly for the top spot.”  

“Shaina is probably the best ball striker and cleanest hitter we’ve had in years,” assesses Cruz.  “She is aggressive and a good thinker who doesn’t make many mistakes.  She is also one of our better doubles players.”

The Bruins’ other new player, Bethany Nguyen (Fr., Tacoma, Wash. / Steilacoom HS), will be in the mix for the fourth through sixth spots along with returnees Cara Griffith ( So., Spokane, Wash. / University HS) and Liliya Abildayeva (Jr., Woodburn, Ore. / Woodburn HS), who played primarily at the four and five slots last year.

“Bethany is very athletic but very raw in her tennis game,” observes Cruz.  “She has a good serve, great footwork, and hits the ball solidly.  With some refining of her game, she should be a big help.

“Cara is also very athletic and one of our better doubles players.  She finished strong last year, and we certainly hope for a carryover to this season.  Lily is one of the most improved players from her freshman year that we have ever had; her consistency is ‘way up and continues to get better.

Rounding out the roster is Allie Michelotti (So., Portland, Ore. / Wilson HS), who played mostly at the No. 3 position last year.  However, she was hampered by injuries in the fall and is still trying to bring her game back up to par.

“We’re hoping to get Allie well and out there soon, but right now, we’re taking a wait-and-see approach,” admits Cruz.

The most probable doubles pairings for the Bruins as the season approaches would team up Emoto and Inn, Beaumont and Griffith, and Nguyen and Abildayeva.  The doubles order, however, is still under consideration, with the Emoto/Inn combination and the Beaumont/Griffith duo likely battling for the top two positions.

Cruz will be assisted for the 11th straight year by his twin brother Rob, while Nick Jenness, who played for the George Fox men’s team from 2006-10, will be a volunteer assistant this season.

The spring portion of the Bruin women’s tennis schedule gets under way Friday, Feb. 18, with a 4:00 p.m. match at the University of Puget Sound.  The next match will be the Bruins’ home opener on Friday, Feb. 25, against Pacific Lutheran University at 3:30 p.m.