1999-2000 Season Outlook – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/11/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Jan. 11, 2000
When looking at the Ohio State women’s tennis roster filled with three juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen, the lack of seniors on the squad might seem like a disadvantage for the Buckeyes. Fourth-year head Coach Chuck Merzbacher sees the shortage of upperclassmen working in his team’s favor.
“The key thing for us is that we have everybody back for the next two years,” Merzbacher said. “What was nice about last year was the team getting experience playing in the postseason.”
The Buckeyes can use the experience they gained last season to build on over the next two years. The squad was the first in the history of the program to have a team, singles player and doubles team qualify for the NCAA tournament.
“We did things last year that we’ve never done before and now we have to keep setting the goals higher and higher,” said Merzbacher. “The goals of this program are to be Top 25 nationally and to be in the top four of the Big Ten.”
Merzbacher earned 1999 Big Ten Coach of the Year honors after leading a young Buckeye squad to a 14-11 overall record.
The Buckeyes have finished higher in the conference each year under Merzbacher. The squad compiled a 6-4 mark in the Big Ten last season and placed sixth in the conference, tying the school record for most conference wins in a season.
Juniors to lead the way
Junior Kristy Dascoli, who has played No. 1 since joining the team, will play the leading role in the success of the Buckeyes. She followed up her standout freshman season by becoming the first OSU women’s tennis player to qualify for the NCAA singles championship and has earned all-Big Ten honors in back-to-back seasons. Dascoli compiled a 19-13 overall record last year, and was an impressive 10-1 against Big Ten opponents.
Dascoli capped off the 1999 fall season with a record of 10-5, highlighted by a defeat of No. 7-ranked Michelle Dasso of Notre Dame in the semifinals of the ITA Midwest Regional. “She leads the team in the way she plays,” said Merzbacher. “She wins up at the toughest spot you can play.”
Dascoli pairs up with junior Briana Harris to form a doubles team ready to return to the national stage. The duo ended last season ranked 20th in the nation and fifth in the Midwest region.
The tandem qualified for the NCAA doubles championship after putting together a 23-15 overall mark at the top doubles position.
This fall Dascoli and Harris were ranked No. 7 in the country in the ITA preseason rankings. The duo advanced to the semifinals at the regional and ended the tournament season with a record of 5-5.
“Last year was a real breakthrough year for Briana and Kristy,” said Merzbacher. “I think they feel like they have a chance to win the NCAA doubles championship in these next two years and they have the experience to do it.”
Harris was 15-14 overall last season, going 12-7 at No. 3. Merzbacher expects even more out of her in her third year on the squad.
“I think Briana needs to set a goal to make the NCAA tournament in singles,” Merzbacher said. “When we went to the tournament with Kristy last season she realized she could play with those players.”
Junior Laura Maloney is also returning for the Buckeyes. After transferring from Colorado State at mid-season last year, she put together an 8-13 record.
“Laura provides us with a lot of leadership and maturity that we need,” said Merzbacher.
Key Underclassmen
With a year of collegiate competition under its belt, Merzbacher is expecting a lot out of the sophomore class of Michelle Matko, Monica Rincon and Claudia Castro.
Matko, who ended last season ranked No. 25 in the Midwest region, was 21-12 overall, including a 13-7 mark at the No. 2 spot.
During the 1999 fall season Matko compiled a record of 8-3 and claimed the singles consolation title at the Midwest Regional.
“I think she’s got all the talent in the world to play up at the high level,” said Merzbacher. “She’s very good at hitting the ball hard down the line, which is the toughest shot to hit.”
Rincon had a strong rookie year, winning her last five matches to move her dual match mark to 19-6. She lead the team in wins, going 23-13 overall.
Rincon’s fall tournament record of 11-5 ranked second on the team this season. She won three straight qualifying matches to advance to the main draw at the regional, where she then reached the quarterfinal round.
“I think she’s looking to push for a top spot on the team and to break through as one of the best college players not only in the Midwest but nationally,” said Merzbacher.
Castro will look to improve on her freshman season when she was 13-12 in dual matches and 15-21 overall. She started this season on a strong note, going 8-3 in singles and pairing up with Rincon to lead the squad with a doubles record of 8-4.The duo qualified for the main draw of the regional.
“Claudia finished strong last year and worked on really attacking the ball,” said Merzbacher. “She went from a ‘let’s see if my opponent is going to miss’-type player to more of an attacking player.”
Merzbacher also looks to the sophomore class to improve in doubles.
“We played with inexperience in doubles last year except at the top spot and I think it showed a lot in our results,” said Merzbacher. “I think this year doubles is going to hopefully be our strong point. I know it will be better because now they all realize what it takes to play collegiate doubles.”
Newcomers
Sadhaf Pervez, who was ranked as high as seventh in the nation in doubles while at Watchung High School, could make an immediate impact as a freshman. The Warren, N.J. native was a two-time county champion and was ranked as high as third in singles in her home state.
“She’s a very good athlete and a very talented player,” said Merzbacher.
Pervez began her collegiate career on a high note, ending the fall season with a team-best record of 12-4 in singles and qualifying for the main draw at the regional.
Taryn Bowen and Katherine Martin will give the squad depth. Bowen, a native of Columbus, was a standout at Upper Arlington High School, while Martin, from Kennewick, Wash., was a three-time district and regional champion. Martin was named the Big-9 Conference Player of the Year as a senior.
“Katherine and Taryn both have the chance to break into the lineup,” said Merzbacher. “They’re both good enough to do that and I know they both work hard.”
Depth
One thing that will help the Buckeyes this season is added depth. All nine players this year will be more evenly matched, allowing for better practices and therefore better play.
“I think that was the tough thing about last year,” said Merzbacher. “We were probably only six deep, and that affects how you practice and how hard you can work. It makes you concerned about injuries.
“We’re going to be nine deep and we’re going to be able to condition and get ourselves ready. They’re all going to push each other. It should be a good year.”
The Schedule
The Buckeyes face a strong schedule this season as they will go up against 12 squads that competed in the NCAA team championship last season. They will face perennial powers Duke, Tennessee and Notre Dame on the road and will host non-conference opponents including Marquette and Cincinnati.
Five other Big Ten teams qualified for the national tournament. Merzbacher looks for more outstanding conference play this year.
“We know we can play with everybody in the league,” said Merzbacher. “Hopefully last year’s experience will help us this season.”
