Post by Bornthrilla on Apr 16, 2009 14:16:00 GMT -5
Notice I said "by" Amber Bland and not "about" Amber Bland:
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AGGIES OPEN TOURNAMENT PLAY ON FRIDAY
By Amber Bland
special to www.ncataggies.com
RALEIGH, April 16, 2009 -- The North Carolina A&T women’s tennis goes head-to-head with one of the best teams in the conference to open the 2009 MEAC Tournament.
Even though the Aggies are returning to the tournament after a two-year absence, and even though they are facing the No. 1 seed from the MEAC North in Hampton University 8:30 Friday morning at the Millbrook Tennis Center in Raleigh, they are confident in their chances to advance.
The Aggies lost to the Pirates 4-3 earlier this season during the MEAC Roundup on March 7. The Pirates come into the tournament 7-6 overall and 5-0 in the MEAC.
“We have a very positive attitude about every match we compete in,’’ said N.C. A&T head coach James Dunwoody. “We are looking forward to the rematch. We will always compete and that’s all I can ask of my ladies. Even with our young roster, I have a good attitude about my team. They’ve come together and stepped up to all challenges. A coach cannot complain about that.”
One of the challenges the Aggies faced was a midseason coaching change. Dunwoody took over the program on Feb. 23 after the resignation of Andy Smith. Dunwoody said compared to the last meeting, the Aggies have improved and become more adaptable to his coaching strategy. N.C. A&T (6-14 overall, 1-3 MEAC) has won five of its six matches this season under Dunwoody.
Despite his team’s improvement under his wing, he knows the Pirates will be a tough team to defeat.
Hampton is a well-balanced and experienced team with a roster of three juniors, one sophomore and two freshmen. Four of their players are international. International players are known for being mature and well-trained competitors.
In order to upset the Pirates, Dunwoody points to two determining factors. Those factors are sophomore Winnie Quick and freshman Shondra Redfern. Quick leads the team in wins with seven, while Redfern has won six matches during her freshman campaign.
During the March 7 contest, Redfern defeated Maria Ycaza in No.3 singles. Quick lost the No. 1 singles matchup against Na-Hyun Baek.
“Winnie and Shondra are going to set the tone for us,’’ said Dunwoody. “Depending on how they start, will determine how the rest of the team will follow. As long as both come to play and play well, they will be the key to our win.”
As a unit coach Dunwoody wanted his team to come up with a goal. The Aggies achieved their goal by reaching the MEAC tournament. After defeating NCCU in their last regular-season game, the Aggies head to Raleigh believing they can continue to overcome the odds.
“I must say that we’ve overachieved this year,’’ said Dunwoody. “ It is something that we must continue doing. They made a goal and they challenged themselves and made it happen by showing up and playing hard at every match.”
If the Aggies exhibit the same desire and intensity they used to obtain their goal, Friday’s match against Hampton can be another step forward for Dunwoody’s program. When comparing this team to previous teams he’s coached, he sees an optimistic, high level, hard-working group of student-athletes.
“With Winnie Quick, Nina Henry, Azeib Nigatu and Danielle McCaskill playing extremely well, there is not a doubt in my mind rather or not we can compete this Friday.”
ncataggies.com/Tennis/2009%20ARTICLES/agggiesvTOURNEY.htm
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AGGIES OPEN TOURNAMENT PLAY ON FRIDAY
By Amber Bland
special to www.ncataggies.com
RALEIGH, April 16, 2009 -- The North Carolina A&T women’s tennis goes head-to-head with one of the best teams in the conference to open the 2009 MEAC Tournament.
Even though the Aggies are returning to the tournament after a two-year absence, and even though they are facing the No. 1 seed from the MEAC North in Hampton University 8:30 Friday morning at the Millbrook Tennis Center in Raleigh, they are confident in their chances to advance.
The Aggies lost to the Pirates 4-3 earlier this season during the MEAC Roundup on March 7. The Pirates come into the tournament 7-6 overall and 5-0 in the MEAC.
“We have a very positive attitude about every match we compete in,’’ said N.C. A&T head coach James Dunwoody. “We are looking forward to the rematch. We will always compete and that’s all I can ask of my ladies. Even with our young roster, I have a good attitude about my team. They’ve come together and stepped up to all challenges. A coach cannot complain about that.”
One of the challenges the Aggies faced was a midseason coaching change. Dunwoody took over the program on Feb. 23 after the resignation of Andy Smith. Dunwoody said compared to the last meeting, the Aggies have improved and become more adaptable to his coaching strategy. N.C. A&T (6-14 overall, 1-3 MEAC) has won five of its six matches this season under Dunwoody.
Despite his team’s improvement under his wing, he knows the Pirates will be a tough team to defeat.
Hampton is a well-balanced and experienced team with a roster of three juniors, one sophomore and two freshmen. Four of their players are international. International players are known for being mature and well-trained competitors.
In order to upset the Pirates, Dunwoody points to two determining factors. Those factors are sophomore Winnie Quick and freshman Shondra Redfern. Quick leads the team in wins with seven, while Redfern has won six matches during her freshman campaign.
During the March 7 contest, Redfern defeated Maria Ycaza in No.3 singles. Quick lost the No. 1 singles matchup against Na-Hyun Baek.
“Winnie and Shondra are going to set the tone for us,’’ said Dunwoody. “Depending on how they start, will determine how the rest of the team will follow. As long as both come to play and play well, they will be the key to our win.”
As a unit coach Dunwoody wanted his team to come up with a goal. The Aggies achieved their goal by reaching the MEAC tournament. After defeating NCCU in their last regular-season game, the Aggies head to Raleigh believing they can continue to overcome the odds.
“I must say that we’ve overachieved this year,’’ said Dunwoody. “ It is something that we must continue doing. They made a goal and they challenged themselves and made it happen by showing up and playing hard at every match.”
If the Aggies exhibit the same desire and intensity they used to obtain their goal, Friday’s match against Hampton can be another step forward for Dunwoody’s program. When comparing this team to previous teams he’s coached, he sees an optimistic, high level, hard-working group of student-athletes.
“With Winnie Quick, Nina Henry, Azeib Nigatu and Danielle McCaskill playing extremely well, there is not a doubt in my mind rather or not we can compete this Friday.”
ncataggies.com/Tennis/2009%20ARTICLES/agggiesvTOURNEY.htm
