Champion tennis team rebuilds

Seton Hill University’s (SHU) women’s tennis team, defending conference champions two years running, has faced a slightly more challenging season than in the past. With a roster of almost half freshman, the team has �had our ups and downs,� said head coach Tim Creamer.
Despite a young team, Creamer feels that the freshmen are progressing nicely. The team is in the midst of rebuilding after losing three seniors to graduation.
Junior Julie Pokrifka thinks that the freshmen have adjusted very well to tennis at the collegiate level.


By Caroline Jones,
Staff Writer

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“The team has won two of the three matches played in the American Mideast Conference”

Seton Hill University’s (SHU) women’s tennis team, defending conference champions two years running, has faced a slightly more challenging season than in the past. With a roster of almost half freshman, the team has �had our ups and downs,� said head coach Tim Creamer.

Despite a young team, Creamer feels that the freshmen are progressing nicely. The team is in the midst of rebuilding after losing three seniors to graduation.

Junior Julie Pokrifka thinks that the freshmen have adjusted very well to tennis at the collegiate level.

�The freshmen have bonded very well with the rest of the team. We have always had a close team and support each other through each match,� she said.

She feels that the annual trip the team takes to Hilton Head during Spring Break week allows the freshmen to adjust to their new team.

Pokrifka added, �It is always tough being a freshman on a college sports team, but our three freshmen this year stepped up and are working hard. In the next year or two they will continue to become stronger players at the collegiate level.�

With an overall record of 4-8, the team has won two of the three matches played in the American Mideast Conference, North Conference. This is keeping the team’s hopes high and as Creamer said, �we are still in the hunt for a bid to the regional tournament and a shot to win our third AMC North Championship.�

Freshman Danielle Manni has very positive thoughts toward her team.

�We have the passion and will power to win in our future matches,� she said. And although she claims there have been a few bumps along the road, she said �I think in the end, it will play out to our side and we will win.�

With such a strong desire to win and knowing the SHU has been the AMC North Champion team for two years running, this year’s women’s tennis team has a lot on their plate. Having such a positive coach and team will certainly help to take this team, once again, to the top.

�We always look further down the road for more wins and we always have a positive attitude,� said Manni.

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