The 2007-08 season was a great success, with the Avenging Angels compiling a 14-6 record.  Some highlights included placing third in their first season in the USA South Athletic Conference and avenging a loss against Huntingdon College from the 2007 NCAA Tournament. Meredith plans to continue to build off last year’s success and enter the 2009 spring season hungry to be a top contender in the USA South and compete for another NCAA Tournament bid. 

The Avenging Angels experienced success in the fall 2008 season and enter the spring ranked #13 in the Division III Atlantic South Region. The Avenging Angels hosted the Meredith College Invitational at Cary Tennis Park and participated in the ITA Fall Regional Tennis Championships at the University of Mary Washington, where they competed against several regionally and nationally ranked opponents. Meredith completed their fall 2008 with a dual match win (5-4)  against Division II Catawba College and plan to take the grit and determination shown in that match with them throughout the upcoming spring season. 

The Avenging Angels are excited to welcome new Assistant Coach Rachel Gale. Gale is currently ranked #1 in the USTA North Carolina 35 and over category and #6 nationally. She also joined the 2008 United States Women’s Tennis Team to compete in the Suzanne Lenglen Cup International Tennis competition in Antalya, Turkey, where their team finished in fourth place.

“We are extremely lucky to have someone as knowledgeable, dedicated and energetic as Rachel to help the Meredith team achieve great things this season. Rachel is a true asset to our program,” said Head Coach Kelly Weaver.

Assistant Coach Rachel Gale said, “I’m personally very excited to work with Meredith’s tennis team and Coach Weaver this year.  I hope to bring excitement, inspiration, positive attitude, and team bonding to all the players.”

Coach Weaver believes that having a strong team attitude in a typically individual sport such as tennis is one thing that helps bring success to Meredith’s team.

 

“The team has done a great job of supporting one another and they know they will need to work together as a team in order to reach their goal of bringing Meredith a USA South Athletic Conference Championship,” said Weaver.

With 10 strong players and leaders making up the spring 2008 squad, including four freshmen added to the roster, Coach Weaver believes that this year’s team has incredible potential.

 “We have returning players with unmatched dedication to this program. This, combined with the new talent we have brought in, makes it our year to make our mark in the conference and continue to build this already strong program,” said Weaver.

Returnees
This spring Meredith tennis returns six players from last year’s squad and adds four freshmen to the team. Seniors Morgan Martin and Caitlin Dillon have demonstrated their leadership capabilities last year and will serve as captains for the 2008-09 season. 

“The maturity and team spirit Caitlin and Morgan bring to every practice will help keep this year’s team focused and determined to achieve their goals,” said Weaver.

 

Martin was awarded USA South First Team honors for the 2007-08 season. Martin played #1 singles position and #2 doubles position last year and was undefeated in doubles conference play. 

Other returners include junior Kathryn Maples who was named to the USA South Second Team and the All Sportsmanship Team for the 2007-08 season, and junior Amanda Bitler, who was named to the Honorable Mention USA South Team. 

“Kathryn’s determination as well as her poise on the court earned her a spot high in the line-up early on as a freshman,” said Weaver. “Kathryn has the tools to really make her mark this year in conference play.” Bitler was undefeated during singles conference play in the #5 position.

 

“Amanda is one of the hardest workers I have ever coached. She never gives up and fights until the end, which is a wonderful example for the rest of the team,” said Weaver.

Sophomores Molly Parks and Zannah Webster also return this year ready to compete for a spot in the line-up. “We have a very deep team this year.  All 10 players will be contending for a starting position, which is great to see as a coach,” said Weaver.

Incoming Class
This year’s incoming class consists of talented freshmen who are eager to make their mark for the Avenging Angels. Freshman Brooke Baird, Ashley Pearsall, Alison Flanagan and Casey Collins each enter their first season for Meredith with incredible willingness to learn and contribute to the team, and all have the potential to break into the starting line-up.

“I think we have a very talented team with four strong incoming freshmen. The freshman and upperclassmen will use their experience to create a cohesive unit to make a solid team,” said Gale. 

Weaver adds, “I am excited to work with these young players and help them develop their games over the next four years.  Most of these players have played multiple sports in high school and have demonstrated their athleticism and team attitude from the beginning.  They all have bright futures ahead of them here at Meredith.”

Schedule
Meredith will compete in the USA South Athletic Conference. The team plans to test themselves within the conference and beyond, playing outside competition such as Huntingdon College, N.C. Central, Pfeiffer University and Bridgewater College.

“We are excited to build rivalries within the conference and be able to compete again at the end of our season in the USA South Conference Tournament and hopefully at the national level with an NCAA bid,” said Weaver.