Fresno State Athletics
2001-02 Women's Tennis Outlook
2/7/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
After a surprising season last year in which the Bulldogs achieved unprecedented success, the women's tennis team is looking to accomplish even more in 2002. After a great run in the fall tournaments and two returning All-Americans, the team's lofty goals may not be that hard to reach.
Though last season was head coach Kevin Epley's first at Fresno State, he made an immediate impact on the team and garnered results many had not thought possible. In his first season, he guided Kim Niggemeyer, Liesl Fichtbauer and Simone Jardim to the NCAA Tournament, where Fichtbauer won her first two matches and the doubles team of Niggemeyer/Jardim advanced to the second round before losing to Caroline Mayorga and Sarah Witten of Kentucky 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. The Bulldogs finished their incredible season with a 21-5 overall record. During the season, the squad jumped from a No. 39 ranking to No. 8 and finished the season at 14th in the nation. Included in their success were several key victories over highly ranked teams such as UCLA, Washington, Washington State and Pepperdine. At the end of the season, the team boasted three All-Americans: Fichtbauer and returning seniors Jardim and Niggemeyer.
At the local level, the Bulldogs were 13-3 at home, with another impressive season at the Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center. The team improved their home record 39-6 since the opening of the facility prior to the 1998 season.
This fall, Kim Niggemeyer and Simone Jardim started the season as the No. 1 -ranked doubles team in the nation and won the Omni Hotels Northwest Regionals in Palo Alto, Calif., defeating Stanford's Lauren Barnikow and Erin Burdette in the final. In singles, Niggemeyer advanced to the semifinals of the ITA Riviera All-American Tournament and ended the fall with a national singles ranking of No. 8. Teammate and newcomer Chloe Carlotti, after a strong showing at the Riviera All-American tournament, is currently not far behind at No. 18.
"I think the success we had in the fall will pay great dividends during the dual match season. Everyone competed hard and got plenty of match experience. Our newcomers now know what it's like to play tennis at the collegiate level," said Epley. With two returning senior All-Americans, the Bulldogs will head into the spring season with prospects of a high ranking and a clear sense of direction.
Looking to build on their success, the team has three exciting newcomers that will improve team depth. Carlotti of Paris, France, was touted by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association as one of the top three recruits in the nation. According to Epley, Carlotti is "one of the best freshmen in the country. She is a gritty player with big ground strokes who is really attempting to develop more of an all court game." After an outstanding fall, where she advanced to the second round of the ITA Riviera All-American tournament after qualifying, and made it to the semifinals of the Omni Hotels Northwest Regional tournament at Stanford, her preseason ranking of 47 jumped to 18. "I think Chloe is going to make a tremendous impact on our team. She had an exceptional fall, and I think she will only get better as the year progresses. Chloe is a tremendous fighter and is the type of player that will play even better as the pressure presents itself."
The returning star, Kim Niggemeyer, who ended the fall ranked eighth in the nation, finished last season with an overall record of 25-10, including 18-5 at No. 1 singles. After a great fall, in which she advanced to the semifinals of the ITA Riviera All-American Tournament and the second round of the National Indoors, she also won the Omni Hotels Northwest Regional doubles title with Simone Jardim. "Kim should be one of the top players in the nation this year. She's so valuable because of her ability to play at a high level in singles and doubles. Kim is the rock of this team, and she and I are both expecting a big year this season."
Of senior Simone Jardim, Epley says, "Simone is probably the craftiest player on the team. She has a terrific understanding of the court". Simone also had a great fall, where she advanced to the quarterfinals of the Regionals. Jardim had a 24-9 singles record last season and went 18-6 in doubles.
Lucia Tallo, considered a doubles specialist, has shown that she will have an impact in singles as well. "Lucia played well this fall, and she will contribute to the team immediately. She's a power player who is in excellent condition, and is an extremely hard worker." Tallo reached the quarterfinals of the Omni Hotels Northwest Regionals, which earned her a regional ranking of No. 22 for the fall.
Freshman Daniela Gheorghe is a top junior player from Florida, and will be looking to make an impact her freshman year. "She has a good understanding of the game," said Epley,"and should find her way into the lineup this year."
Among the returning Bulldogs, Chantel Wiggins, a senior, posted a 7-11 record overall (5-8 dual) last year is looking to make her senior year count. "Chantel is a fiery player who plays best when the match is on the line. She's a spark plug that can really get the team going." Senior Ewa Grusiecka had an overall record of 15-14 (9-11 dual) last year and has been a consistent performer in the lower half of the lineup. She has been working hard this year and should contribute this spring.
Junior Kelly Ramirez was 15-11 overall (12-8 dual) last season, where she played No. 5 singles primarily. "Kelly won some big matches for us last year, clinching the match between top 10 ranked Northwestern. She has a huge forehand and is a good athlete with great hands. She's had a solid fall and has the capability to beat anyone on a given day."
Courtney Jantz, a sophomore with an overall record of 22-12, was 11-6 at No. 6 singles last year. "She got some great experience playing doubles with Liesl Fichtbauer, and should see some action in both singles and doubles in the upcoming season."
The talented team faces a tough schedule this spring, with a challenging stint on the road at the beginning of the season. "Our upcoming season couldn't really get any tougher. We basically have a Pac-10 schedule and will play the best teams on the West Coast."
Starting Jan. 11, the women will play the ASU Hidden Dual, then continue on to face perennially ranked Pepperdine, Stanford and California. The Pac-10's Washington State and Washington will be faced Mar. 8-10. Fresno State also plays in the Reno Classic on April 5-7 and the WAC Tournament on April 25-27. Shortly after that, the NCAA Championships start on May 10, with the individual tournament beginning May 18.
