Colorado State University Athletics
Women's Tennis Begins Spring Season
1/28/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Rams Begin Spring Season Play...
The spring season looks promising for this young, but talented Rams team. Colorado State will open up the 2004 spring season against the University of Nebraska on Jan. 30, in Lincoln, Neb. The following day the Rams will compete against the University of Illinois-Chicago. The Rams are coming off a very competitive fall season, finishing with a 37-26 record in singles play, and 8-20 in doubles. This is the best the Rams have finished in singles play for the past three seasons. Jasmin Singh, a transfer from the University of Louisville, led the Rams with a 7-3 singles record. Singh was followed closely by freshman Emily Kirchem with a 6-3 record. The doubles team of Emily Kirchem and Carla Pallares lead the Rams finishing with a 2-1 tournament record.
Emily Kirchem and Dasha Zhurin were both recognized for their outstanding play this fall by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. The ITA ranked Kirchem at No. 18 and Zhurin at No. 24 for the Central Region. Zhurin moved up three spots from last season?s ranking at No. 27. ?These rankings reflect the promising future of our team,? said head coach Jon Messick. ?It is extraordinary for (Emily) Kirchem to obtain such a high ranking in her first semester of college tennis.?
Nebraska... The Huskers are at No. 68 in the ITA preseason team rankings. NU returns eight letterwinners, including four seniors, from its 2003 squad that finished with a 12-11 record. The Rams are 1-6 all-time against the Huskers. Nebraska defeated Colorado State 4-3 in last year?s matchup. The Huskers are led by junior Gitte Ostermann who earned the No. 19 spot in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division I Women?s preseason rankings, the highest ranking ever for a Husker women?s tennis player. Ostermann produced a 14-4 fall record, including an 8-3 mark against opponents listed in the preseason rankings. This will be the first spring match for both teams.
University of Illinois-Chicago... Colorado State will face the Flames of the University of Illinois-Chicago for the first time in a dual competition. The Flames are 0-1, and are coming off a 6-1 loss to Marquette. Leading the Flames is senior Ayca Gumuscu, a 2002 All-Horizon League First Team selection and a conference second team honoree last season. Gumuscu is the longest-tenured UIC player, and has three conference championships under her belt. Named to the All-Horizon League Second team, she finished last season with a record of 16-16, competing at both No. 1 and No. 2 singles.
Looking Ahead... Colorado State will begin spring season play on Jan. 30 when they head to Lincoln, Nebraska, to take on the University of Nebraska. The following day the Rams will face the University of Illinois-Chicago. CSU will compete in 20 matches this season, six of which will be played at home. The Rams? first home match will be against Texas Tech of the Big 12 on Feb. 13. The spring schedule will bring many challenges for the Rams. Coach Messick feels CSU has a strong preconference schedule, and if the Rams play well enough they could move into the rankings. Colorado State could play up to ten ranked teams in the spring.
Sanja Hansson to Student Coach... Sanja Hansson was the lone departing senior from last year?s squad. Her hard work and dedication will be much missed. She finished her career with a 77-61 singles record, and a 55-61 doubles record. Even though Hansson is finished with her eligibility she will not be going far. She has decided to stay at CSU as a volunteer coach. Hansson will serve as student assistant coach for the Rams. Hansson played four years at Colorado State and is definitely marked as one of the most succesful players in the program?s history.
