Athletics > Women's Tennis > Season outlook

2007 OUTLOOK

Last season provided a gratifying finish to Doug Stursma 's 13-year tenure as Central College women's tennis coach, but new coach Bryan Mours isn't waiting before aiming even higher in his first season.

Following a 10-3 regular-season dual campaign, the Dutch pulled off a big surprise by tying for first place at the Iowa Conference individual tournament last fall. That put Central in the final four of the team championship tourney before two dual losses left the Dutch with a fourth-place finish and a 10-5 overall record.

Stursma isn't the only one not returning. Central also graduated No. 1 player Kristin Kovar, a three-time all-Iowa Conference honoree in singles who also earned the distinction twice in doubles. But the Dutch return the other five players from last year's singles lineup.

“We expect to compete at least at the same level as last year's team,” Mours said. “Replacing a No. 1 player like Kristin Kovar will be a challenge. But we have some kids who I think can step into that spot and succeed.”

Getting the first look will be junior Hillary Baehr, who placed second in the league at No. 2 singles and posted a 10-6 mark. Senior Katie Moklestad, a team co-captain last year, was 8-9 at No. 3 singles, finishing fifth in the conference while senior Whitney Visser was fourth at No. 4, also going 8-9, sophomore Faith Bliss was second at No. 5 with a team-best 14-3 record and senior Jennifer Knobbe was third at No. 6, recording an 11-4 mark.

Knobbe teamed with Kovar to take second at No. 1 doubles, Baehr and Moklestad were second at No. 2 doubles and graduated Maureen Khairallah played with Bliss for second at No. 3.

“They're all going to get an opportunity at practice,” Mohrs said. “Right now it's kind of hard to say where I see it all shaking out.”

Despite getting a late start, Mohrs hit the recruiting trail in full stride and is already bringing in one of the largest freshman classes in the program's history as nine newcomers are expected to join the Dutch for preseason workouts in August.

“As a head coach in my first year, it's a good situation,” Mohrs said. “We've got a lot of returning players, so the freshmen don't have to step in right away unless they're really ready. We can grow and develop together and they don't have to get fed to the wolves.”

Nonetheless Mohrs expects the team to get some help from the rookies. Facing stiffer competition in practice than they did in high school should accelerate their progress, he said.

“We're really excited about some of the players we're bringing in,” he said. “If we can surround them with good players every day in practice, I think we're going to see many of them really grow and blossom.”

As they improve, Mohrs won't hesitate to insert them into the lineup.

“We're going to play around with the lineup for a while,” he said. “I'm a firm believer that no lineup spot is ever safe. Some players don't start off the year very well, but if by mid-season they're hitting their stride, we'll give them a chance.

“Players need to bring their A game to practice. They need to do the things they're capable of doing every day in order to keep that spot and continue to play.”

Coe, Cornell and Luther finished ahead of the Dutch at last year's league tourney. Mours calls Luther and Coe clear favorites in 2007 with Loras pushing for a top spot as well. Central, which has placed fourth or high in 21 of the past 24 seasons, is likely pegged for the middle of the pack by most.

“I would hope we'll still be in the top half,” Mours said. “On paper it doesn't seem realistic for us to compete for the conference title but I'm never going to completely write that off as a possibility. I can promise that the players are going to work hard and they're going to improve.”

Mours likes the season schedule.

“I think we've done a good job of finding the balance between matches against really tough competition, some matches that will be extremely competitive and some that, on paper, we should be favored,” he said.

“The players I've talked to are really excited. It's a new regime and the players seem like they're ready to work hard and get going. As a new coach, I can't ask for more than that.”