Women’s tennis looking for second half surge

As the Northwestern tennis team continues their spring season, they will look to build on a successful 2011 campaign.
Last year, an experienced NW team finished fifth in the conference, its best finish since 2002. Though the women struggled initially, going 0-3 in the fall, the Raiders stormed back, finishing 7-10 overall and 4-4 in the conference.
In the postseason, NW lost a tightly contested match to Hastings, falling to the Broncos 5-4.
Last year’s team, however, had just two freshmen players. This year, the Raiders are experiencing a youth movement.
Junior Kellie Korver returns to the team after winning all-conference honorable mention last year. She is the most experienced player on the team.
She is joined by two sophomores and six freshmen, as the Raiders look to rebuild after losing two all-conference players in Nessa Summers and Julie Mineart.
NW has struggled out of the gate with a road-heavy schedule. Winning its only match at home over Grandview 9-0 back in September. The Raiders are yet to win a match on the road.
Since the spring season began with a loss to the University of South Dakota on January 21, NW has traveled to Minnesota for two matches and California for three matches. The Raiders were not able to chalk up a win in either state, losing a nail-biter to Northwestern, Minn., 5-4.
Freshman Frankie Eszes has led the Raiders individually in wins this year, as she is 5-4 on the season. Korver is second, at 2-7. The doubles teamwork of Eszes and sophomore Terry Odera is 2-5, which is the best combination on the squad.
Thus far, the Raiders are 1-8 on the season, but they are yet to begin conference play. The Raiders will begin their conference season April 4 against Briar Cliff. Briar Cliff is currently 0-2, 0-1 in the GPAC.
The challenges directly ahead of the women are today and tomorrow, as they travel to central to play Simpson and Central College. First serve is this afternoon at 4 p.m. and tomorrow at 9 a.m.