The TCNJ Lions Want a National Spotlight
By: Mark Barroso
EWING—The College of New Jersey women’s tennis team looks to gain national credibility in the spring. The Lions say persistent training and motivation will guide them to the top.
The TCNJ Lions are currently ranked #17 in the pre-season ITA Division III women’s tennis rankings (last updated on November 3rd, 2010).
The Lions have a 136-game winning streak against New Jersey Athletic Conference competitors and have won 28 consecutive NJAC Championships.
The perfect play of the Lions in the NJAC is practice for the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Lions have their own opinions about winning a national championship.
“If the team works hard like they do with no injuries, we could make a good run at it, said 11th year head coach Scott Dicheck. “We fell a little short last spring; you just have to have a little bit of luck on your side.”
“I look forward to spring season because it is more competitive,” said junior captain Felice Trinh.
Trinh earned NCAA All-America honors as a sophomore in 2009 while finishing second at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Small College Championship. Trinh, along with superstar alumnus Jackie Shtemberg, went undefeated to win the 2009 ITA Northeastern Regional Championship. Trinh was also named NJAC Rookie of the Year in the fall of 2009.
Trinh and co-captain/classmate, Emily Petersack, have NCAA tournament experience.
They both reached the second round of the 2009 NCAA Division III national tournament, with Trinh in singles and Petersack in doubles. In the spring of 2010, Trinh reached the third round of the tournament in singles. Petersack won in the third round, but the team was eliminated and didn’t reach the quarterfinals.
Shtemberg’s graduation had an effect on her current housemate, Trinh.
“At first, we were definitely sad and upset about it. She has left us with so much ability to be motivated,” said Trinh. “She comes out whenever she can.”
The Lions want another taste at NCAA greatness, this time without Shtemberg.
“We have a strong team,” said sophomore All-American Allison Tierney. “If everyone is healthy and playing their best, I think we have a shot at it (national championship).”
Tierney and classmate Karisse Bendijo earned All-America honors for placing third in the 2010 USTA/ITA Small College Championships in Alabama. Bendijo also earned 2010 All-America honors in singles.
To win a national championship, the Lions will have to input maximum effort, which includes a playlist of songs.
“Felice and I have a warm-up mix to play before matches and get everyone pumped up,” said Petersack.
“I’m really expecting us to do well, said Felice Trinh. “I am hoping for a successful season.”
The only three schools to win Division III National Championships since 2001 are Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia and Emory University, in Atlanta, Georgia. The Williams College Ephs have been champions since 2008.
Since the Lions are such a young team, the freshmen will have to step it up in the spring if they are seriously considering making Division III “noise.” After spring play, recruiting becomes a main goal. Dicheck makes sure recruits are treated properly.
“Our team members do tours,” said Trinh. “Coach has asked the girls to give them (recruits) tours. We get to meet so many new people.”
As for preseason training, it is most difficult in the spring. The balancing of practice and academics becomes challenging.
The Lions must “go to the gym and keep practicing” to win a national championship, said Petersack. “Our team is so close and so motivated together. We have the same goals for every match and I think we all want to get to nationals and have a successful season.”
“We definitely work the hardest during the spring preseason,” said Trinh. “As the season goes on, we all motivate each other to go to the gym and go hit. We do what works best for everyone’s class schedules.”
Contact: barroso2@tcnj.edu
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