Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Expect 2007 Season To Be Sweet Again
1/25/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
In his three seasons as head coach of the Fresno State women's tennis team, Simon Thibodeau has led the Bulldogs to college tennis' elite plateau. He has coached Melanie Gloria, Jelena Pandzic, Lucia Sainz and Katharina Winterhalter to national finals at both the NCAA Championships and the ITA All-American. Thibodeau has twice been honored with the Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year award, led the Bulldogs to their fifth consecutive WAC title, and guided the program to the NCAA sweet sixteen in 2004 and 2006. And on a yearly basis, the team has been honored for its outstanding academic success. What else can a coach accomplish?
Thibodeau and the Bulldogs again have high expectations. The team has its sight set on yet another WAC title and a run deep into NCAA tournament. With a talented lineup from top to bottom, a tough schedule and a tremendous coaching staff, the sky is the limit for Fresno State.
"We definitely want to reach that stage again," Thibodeau said of his team's appearance in the 2006 sweet sixteen. "But we have a desire to go even further. We have five returning players that have all experienced NCAA tournament success; last year we only had two players who had reached the round of 16."
First year assistant coach Chantel Wiggins is a perfect complement to Thibodeau. Wiggins is a native of the Central Valley and was a very successful student-athlete as a Bulldog from 1999-02.
"Coach Wiggins is a complete professional," said Thibodeau. "The team highly respects her and see her as a mentor. She has been a tremendous addition to our staff."
If the 2006 fall season was any indication, sophomore Melanie Gloria will have an outstanding season. Gloria was a finalist in the All-American, and a semifinalist at the National Indoor Championships. During her title run at the All-American, Gloria beat top-ranked Audra Cohen of Miami and 10th-ranked Megan Moulton-Levy of William and Mary.
Last year, Gloria was nearly unstoppable. She went 20-5 during the dual match season playing at the No. 1 spot in the lineup. In doubles, she and Jacqueline Haskett teamed for a 19-2 record at the No. 3 spot. In all, Gloria was named the WAC Freshman and Player of the Year to go along with first-team All-WAC recognition in both singles and doubles.
"Melanie is very prepared for the upcoming season," Thibodeau said. "She trained well over the summer and had a great fall season. She was a top-20 player last year, but this season she has already proven to be in the top five in the country."
Sophomore Tinesta Rowe returns as one of the team's top doubles players. Rowe will also be crucial to the team's success with her singles play. Last year, Rowe clinched Fresno State's 4-3 upset of California in the second round of the NCAA tournament with a three-set victory at No. 6 singles. This season, Rowe may be expected to play higher in the lineup and be a steady contributor in doubles.
"Tinesta finished strong against Cal and Miami last year," Thibodeau said. "Those matches served as a spring board for the rest of her career and she continued to mature in the fall.
Junior Jacqueline Haskett is as steady as they come. Haskett was a dynamic doubles partner with Gloria as the two went 19-2 last year.
"Jacqueline is so consistent and tough," Thibodeau said. "She won all her matches at the WAC last year in both singles and doubles."
Sophomore Bruna Paes returns with a season of experience under her belt. She was very competitive playing primarily at the No. 6 spot last year and already displayed great improvement during the fall. She beat No. 98 Aude Lambert of Saint Mary's in three sets during the Aztec Fall Classic.
Redshirt freshman Vanessa Heroux experienced injuries in `06, but has returned to health, bringing a dynamic personality and a variety of skills to the team.
"Everyone has matured and gained experience from last year," Thibodeau said. "Bruna has always been a fighter and she will continue to get better. Vanessa is one of our leaders and I noticed a lot of positive results from her during the fall season."
Sophomore Danon Beatty and freshmen Renata Kucerkova and Anastasia Petukhova are the Bulldog newcomers.
Beatty is a competitor in every sense of the word. She is relentless and fights for every point, adding another element to the Bulldog lineup.
Kucerkova is one of Fresno State's most talented singles players. She had a strong fall season in which she won five straight during the All-American qualifying rounds.
Petukhova also contributes a tough mentality and fierce competitiveness to the team. She had significant success in the international junior ranks and will complement the squad's deep and talented roster.
"Renata is very talented and she showed that in the fall by going 9-3 in singles." Thibodeau said. "Danon has also been a great addition to our team and she already has one year of college tennis experience. Anastasia gives us a lot of firepower and a great attitude."
Thibodeau puts together a challenging schedule each season, and this year's will be no different. The `Dogs open the year at defending champion Stanford before hosting WAC foes San Jose State and Nevada for a double-header to begin the home slate. The month of February features challenging road matches at Arizona, Arizona state, Pepperdine, UCLA and the annual UNLV tournament. Fresno State also has tough contests at the Wathen Tennis Center when it hosts TCU, South Florida and Kansas State.
