Women’s Tennis Completes Turnaround With Young Squad In 2013

Contact: Jeff Schneider

LAFAYETTE, La. – The women's tennis team flipped the script during the 2013 season completing the turnaround from a 4-16 record in 2012 to notch a 14-12 record and Sun Belt tournament win under third year head coach Greg Harkins.

“I decided to take the program in a new direction this season,” Harkins said. “This past fall was a period of initiation and bonding for the team. The game is a journey similar to life and it was important for the women to learn core vales of time management, accountability to themselves and the program. It was also important for them to understand the meaning of giving back to those who support and help us as we learn and grow from our experiences in the program.”

The Cajuns had a relatively new squad seeing anywhere from three to five freshman in the starting lineup. During the season the team met many goals including a winning record at Cajun Courts and reaching double-digit wins.

“We set our goals in the fall and worked towards them up until the final day of the season,” Harkins mentioned. “Posting 14 dual wins and having a winning record at the Cajun Courts was a good accomplishment. It was a total team effort from the squad this season. All eight players played a significant role on and off court helping us build a culture and climate of success for the program.

“We see this season as a beginning for the team which will have only one upperclassman on the squad for 2014. We have goals to achieve and are hungry to reach higher as representatives of the Cajun Nation. We encourage the ladies to push themselves to be the best they can be on and off court as it will help them to prepare for the challenges of the real world after their days in Lafayette have passed.”

Freshman Nicole Breaux was one of the major catalysts going 12-10 in her first season while playing mainly at the No.2 position.

Louisiana had four players post double-digit wins in a season for the second time under Harkins lead by junior Sandra Ahlqvist who posted a team-best 14-7 record in singles.

Ahlqvist finished the spring on a four-match win streak which is the third time this season she has achieve such a feat.

Also posting double digit wins this season was Melissa Burckharrt (10) and Sophie van den Aarssen (12).

In doubles, the Ragin' Cajuns also garnered a lot of success led by the freshman duo of Juliette Clement and Melissa Burckhartt. The pair ran off 13 straight wins to open the dual match season to become the first Louisiana doubles team to be ranked in over a decade earning a ranking of 79.

The squad finished the season with a winning record in doubles and went 16-10 in doubles points won.

“I want to thank our loyal community of supporters, staff and families of the team,” Harkins added. “We believe that our community and university is one of the best places in the country to play, and the fans prove it every match with tremendous support that rivals any other facility in the country. We are already working on next season and can't wait to see everyone back in the stands come this fall.”

For updates and info follow the women's tennis squad on twitter @CajunW10ns.

-- Ragin' Cajuns --

University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics

Women’s Tennis Completes Turnaround With Young Squad In 2013

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