Last year’s version of the women’s tennis team went where no Wolfpack team had gone before as it set the high-water mark for the program in several aspects throughout the season.
The team defeated two top-25 opponents — something that had never happened, finished with a school record 17 wins and for the first time went to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Coach Hans Olsen said he believes the program’s momentum is picking up speed as he heads into his sixth season at N.C. State.
But it’s not just where the program headed, but where it came from — and will never return. When this year’s senior class completes its playing days this year, it will mark the end of a era in the school’s history.
The seniors will be the last three players in the program who can say they competed on the old outdoor tennis courts behind Carmichael Gymnasium — on what were affectionately known as the “grass courts” for the various vegetation growing up through the cracks.
In those days, before and during the building of the J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center, senior Allison Barry said the team had to travel 30 to 40 minutes just to practice indoors. And if the weather was just right on the wrong day, play would have to be canceled or postponed.
“We’d haul the balls from somewhere else on campus to there. Our offices were in a different place and there was grass growing, through. I think it was all character building for those girls to appreciate what we have now,” Olsen said. “I’m glad we’re not there anymore and I’m looking to the future … it makes you appreciate what you have.”
State enters the year at No. 32, a spot behind where they ended last season. Even so, it is still just the seventh-highest ranked in what is expected to be a very competitive ACC.
“Every ACC team is really tough. Everyone will be ranked,” junior Julia Roach said.
And the team might have been ranked even higher were it not for the unexpected announcement that last year’s No. 1 seed, Shona Lee, was turning pro.
“Although I felt [she] wasn’t quite prepared for that yet, she really wanted to play professional tennis,” Olsen said. “It’s good for our program that she was a good student, a good athlete here and she’s had these dreams and is pursuing them. We’ll follow her and support her as much on the pro tour as when she was here.”
Lee was the second freshman in school history to earn All-Conference honors, and had finished her first and only campaign with the Pack ranked No. 114 in the nation.
Recently, Lee defeated the No. 143 ranked player in the world, Great Britain’s Anne Keothavong 1-6, 7-6, 6-3 while she herself was ranked No. 634.
“She’s actually coming to the states next week to play some tournaments in Hawaii and Florida,” sophomore Alejandra Guerra said. “It’s tough, but she’s doing good.”
The vacancy has led to parity, with little distinction and more competition among the remaining players.
“It’s really too early to say who’s going to play what number, but it seems each week everybody’s showing me new things that they can do and impressing me,” Olsen said.
Poised to replace Lee as this year’s freshman phenom is Daria Petrovic. Petrovic has already gained national recognition — starting the year No. 34 after a fall season that consisted of two upsets.
“All three of [the freshmen] had really good results in the fall,” Olsen said. “With one semester under their belt I think there’ll be a natural improvement.”
Olsen also said there should be an improvement in the team’s doubles matches. He described last year’s doubles play as “hot and cold,” but that this year’s number of talented players should improve chances of winning the doubles point.
“Usually at the beginning, first couple of matches, he’s getting a feel of the matchups for doubles and how everyone fits in their spots,” Barry said.
The team’s rankings are a result of the talent put in place by Olsen and assistant Mait DuBois, and a testament to the direction the program has taken during their tenure.
“One thing that makes it so special is that … it’s a group of people that Mait and I recruited,” Olsen said. “They came here because of the way we do things. It’s a special feeling to be working with those players who are on the same page with you.”