Spring Break
URI women's tennis ends autumn season with strong showing at Brown Invitational
Brandon Gearing
Issue date: 10/31/08 Section: Sports
10/31/08 - After previously finishing fall match play undefeated, the University of Rhode Island women's tennis team had a chance to compete individually at the Brown Invitational, and posted a 19-15 record, going 13-11 in singles and 6-4 in doubles.
"All five teams we were playing were strong teams," said head coach Sandy Wood. "I was looking forward to playing some tough competition so we could see where we would stand."
The Rams were led by the doubles tandem of twin sisters Tristany and Kirsten Leikem, who finished first in Flight 1 doubles with a 3-0 record.
"Kirsten and Tristany have really matured and continued to improve throughout the fall," Wood said.
He was also impressed with how the rest of his team has progressed throughout the season.
"We clearly showed we were equal to the other teams in the tournament," Wood said. "It was an outstanding end to the fall season."
Sophomore Christen Cadigan said the tournament was challenging. "There were some top teams competing, especially Syracuse University and Brown University," she said. "No one had an easy match."
Cadigan competed in Flight 3 singles and posted a 2-1 record. She competed in Flight 2 doubles alongside fellow sophomore Brooke Hoover.
"We were all battling fatigue from the long tournament, but we were still focused and worked hard," Cadigan said.
Rhody saw strong performances from freshmen Pam Emery and Kirsten Leikem in Flight 2 singles, senior Valerie Chacon in Flight 4 singles and Hoover in Flight 5 singles.
Last season, the Rams finished at 12-19 in the tournament, which included the University of Connecticut, Boston University and the University of Albany. This year's field included Army, Stony Brook University, Syracuse and Brown.
"The big difference between last year and this year is our level of play," said Cadigan. "Everyone is at the same level and we are all so competitive with each other. Any of us can beat the other on any given day."
Wood said "phase two" of the season is going to be indoor practices in January and February.
"If we work hard in those practices, by the time matches come around, we'll be ready," he said.
Cadigan said she expects the team to come on very strong. "The rest of the teams in the A-10 are in for a big surprise."
Wood said the Rhody women have the ability to be among the top eight teams in the Atlantic 10, and perhaps much higher.
"There's no way to predict how we're going to finish in the A-10," he said. "It's so dependent on what draw you get."
The Rams now have some time off and will return to action in the spring.
"All five teams we were playing were strong teams," said head coach Sandy Wood. "I was looking forward to playing some tough competition so we could see where we would stand."
The Rams were led by the doubles tandem of twin sisters Tristany and Kirsten Leikem, who finished first in Flight 1 doubles with a 3-0 record.
"Kirsten and Tristany have really matured and continued to improve throughout the fall," Wood said.
He was also impressed with how the rest of his team has progressed throughout the season.
"We clearly showed we were equal to the other teams in the tournament," Wood said. "It was an outstanding end to the fall season."
Sophomore Christen Cadigan said the tournament was challenging. "There were some top teams competing, especially Syracuse University and Brown University," she said. "No one had an easy match."
Cadigan competed in Flight 3 singles and posted a 2-1 record. She competed in Flight 2 doubles alongside fellow sophomore Brooke Hoover.
"We were all battling fatigue from the long tournament, but we were still focused and worked hard," Cadigan said.
Rhody saw strong performances from freshmen Pam Emery and Kirsten Leikem in Flight 2 singles, senior Valerie Chacon in Flight 4 singles and Hoover in Flight 5 singles.
Last season, the Rams finished at 12-19 in the tournament, which included the University of Connecticut, Boston University and the University of Albany. This year's field included Army, Stony Brook University, Syracuse and Brown.
"The big difference between last year and this year is our level of play," said Cadigan. "Everyone is at the same level and we are all so competitive with each other. Any of us can beat the other on any given day."
Wood said "phase two" of the season is going to be indoor practices in January and February.
"If we work hard in those practices, by the time matches come around, we'll be ready," he said.
Cadigan said she expects the team to come on very strong. "The rest of the teams in the A-10 are in for a big surprise."
Wood said the Rhody women have the ability to be among the top eight teams in the Atlantic 10, and perhaps much higher.
"There's no way to predict how we're going to finish in the A-10," he said. "It's so dependent on what draw you get."
The Rams now have some time off and will return to action in the spring.
