Women's Tennis Opens Spring Season Against Illinois

Jan. 19, 2007

MILWAUKEE - The Marquette women's tennis team will open its spring dual season Saturday, Jan. 20, when it host Illinois at the Helfaer Tennis Stadium at 11 a.m. It is the first of five consecutive dual matches the Golden Eagles will host to commence the spring season.

For the Marquette women's tennis team, the 2007 season marks an opportunity for improvement. Head coach Jody Bronson knows that with a year of experience in the BIG EAST, her student-athletes now realize they can compete and be successful. They enter the season as veterans in a conference that sent four teams to the NCAA Tournament in 2006. Looking to improve on an 11th-place finish in the BIG EAST Championship a season ago, Bronson, entering her 22nd season as leader of the Golden Eagles, will look to senior leadership, a youthful presence and health as major contributors to the success of this season's campaign.

"The number one thing we have to do is be healthy," remarked Bronson. "We also have 12 players on the team this year after having only eight last year, so we are going to have more depth to work with. The kids that are coming in are definitely capable of playing. Some of them are going to be in the line up and all are going to have the opportunity to improve. Our overall competitiveness is going to be very good on a daily basis."

Competitiveness will be the key this year as Marquette looks to better its 9-17 record from last season. Games against six NCAA Tournament teams, including a clash with two-time defending BIG EAST Champion and NCAA quarterfinal participant Notre Dame in the spring's last regular season game, will be a good test for the eager squad.

The Golden Eagles return their entire squad of eight from last season. Joining them will be three freshmen and one transfer, all with the potential to be successful, immediately. Bronson had nothing but fantastic remarks about each class.

"Our four seniors, Fancina Bonnelly, Andrea Bukacek, Dominika Dabrowski and Kathleen Donovan will all be counted on to provide leadership in hopes of having their best season on the court as Golden Eagles."

"Maria Calbeto and Erin Watkins return for their third season, and along with junior transfer Shannon Brown from Marshall, are mentally prepared and ready to take their games to a new level and compete with anyone."

"Sophomores Lauren Little and Robin Metzler have spent a lot of time getting healthy and will be looked upon to be big contributors this season."

"Joining the eight returnees will be freshmen Kylie Moore, Elly Strother and Margaret Wilson. The trio should gain a lot of experience this year, learning from the upper classmen, and I expect to see great improvement in their games."

Bronson is eager for all 12 to succeed this season. Without an order set, she knows anyone could step up and take on any roll.

"I think the players are ready to really have a great year. It's been a really tough couple of years for them between injuries and coaching changes. I think the other players that have been here, they are now at the point of understanding what the conference is about and what is expected of them in all areas. Everyone is going to have to show they are ready and have the ability to play."

Another addition to the Marquette squad this season will be assistant coach Heather Saluri. A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Saluri played both No. 1 - No. 4 singles and No. 1 doubles at the University of Oklahoma. Throughout her career, she was selected twice to the Big 12 All-Conference First Team. As a junior, she reached the NCAA Doubles Championship round of 16 after setting a school record of 24 doubles wins in a season. Saluri had a career singles record of 66-46 and doubles record of 81-41.

"Heather was a very good doubles player and doubles is a unique skill that not all tennis players have," said Bronson. "You can teach doubles, but for a lot of players, it's not a natural thing. I think that her expertise in doubles and what she experienced at the University of Oklahoma and in the NCAA Tournament is going to be a big plus for us. I think her leadership, values and what she expects fit right in to this program."

Bronson knows that with an experienced assistant coach, combined with a full returning cast and four talented newcomers, the next task is to go out and live up to the team's expectations.

"I think once we got to the BIG EAST Tournament last season, we realized we could compete in this league. I am really excited for this year and I know we will do very well in this conference. We are going to win a lot more this year than last. I expect us to be near the top of the BIG EAST."