Preseason Video Interviews

ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Another fall season is quickly approaching for the Elmira College women's tennis team, which will embark under its first full season under the tutelage of head coach Rob Clayton. The Soaring Eagles return the bulk of their roster from a season ago, a luxury that Clayton will look to take advantage of this fall, as his 2018-19 iteration of the Purple and Gold navigate through the always challenging Empire 8 Conference.

Elmira welcomes back four players from its 2017 fall roster, as well as a late addition to the team that occurred during EC's non-traditional spring season. A total of five returners will guide the way for the Soaring Eagles, although Clayton will have large shoes to fill after the departure of two of EC's top three singles players from a season ago in Megan Fitzgerald '18, the program's all-time career wins leader, and dual-sport athlete Emily Green '18.

Although Clayton is in his first full season with the Soaring Eagles, he oversaw the team's practices and matches during the non-traditional season in the spring months. Through the first week of preseason practice, he's seen each player make vast improvements on the court since the spring.

 "I want to say that we're laying a good foundation for the rest of the season, especially the rest of the preseason, and we're building to beat conference competitors, building to beat the top of the conference," Clayton said.

During preseason training, Clayton, who joined EC in January with an extensive background as a teaching professional, has placed great emphasis on footwork, fitness, and endurance. Another year of experience, as well as a full preseason under Clayton's guidance, will surely yield greater results for EC throughout the lineup.

 "I think the biggest separation is tennis is typically the pace of shot, or average pace of shot," he explained, "so if we're fitter, lasting longer, hitting a heavier shot for longer, we'll probably be more successful in the long run."

Sarah Hill '19 looks like a viable option to fill the void in the top half of Elmira's lineup this season. The Naples, New York, native played the majority of last season at the No. 4 singles position but made the leap to the No. 2 slot in the spring and produced quality results. Hill went 4-10 in singles action last season, but more noteworthy was her 1-1 record while playing at the second spot in the spring, which included a straight-set win over Brockport. Hill was also one of just three players to compete in all 14 matches for the Purple and Gold during the 2017-18 campaign.

Also looking to make an impact this fall will be second-year netters Katy Jewett '21 and Cassie Brown '21. Jewett proved to be a steady producer in the top of Elmira's doubles lineup, as she teamed up with Fitzgerald to log an impressive 9-5 record at the No. 1 position, which included an even 4-4 mark in conference play. Jewett also went 2-3 in limited singles action with one win at the fifth and sixth positions.

Brown amassed six wins in singles and doubles action, while playing primarily at the No. 6 singles and No. 2 doubles positions. Two of her victories came in singles action, both of which were against E8 foes, including a match-clinching win against Utica in her first collegiate match on September 2. Brown also logged a 3-5 mark against Empire 8 opponents in doubles action with wins over Utica, Hartwick and Houghton.

Cheyanne Holwell '19 adds experience to the Soaring Eagles, as the second of just two seniors on this year's roster. Holwell competed in five matches a year ago and did not drop a game in an impressive straight-set sweep against Penn College's fifth singles player on September 17. According to Clayton, both Holwell and Hill have exceeded his expectations in their new roles as senior leaders, adding that "they're taking charge on a lot of things."

Elmira's final returner is Brooklyn, New York, native Marta Kliszcz '20, a spring-season transfer from E8 rival Hartwick. Although Kliszcz did not participate in EC's two spring matches, she did see some time in exhibition action for her first taste of collegiate tennis. Keep an eye on Kliszcz to bolster the Soaring Eagle lineup during her junior year.

In addition to the five returners, Clayton welcomes freshman Brandi Meeder '22 to campus this fall. A graduate of Marcus Whitman Central School in Rushville, New York. Meeder is coming off of a senior campaign in which she was named a Finger Lakes West Division First-Team All-Star for her performances as part of Marcus Whitman's top doubles tandem.

Season Opener
Elmira opens the 2018 campaign on the road on Sunday, September 2, when they take on the Lakers of Oswego State in a 12:00 p.m. non-conference match. The Soaring Eagles haven't beaten the Lakers since the 2015 season, but the previous two meetings have been tightly contested. In 2017, Oswego State narrowly edged EC by a 5-4 final score at the Murray Athletic Center.

Avenging that to loss Oswego would go a long way, injecting an early boost of confidence into the Elmira women ahead of their Empire 8 opener on Wednesday, September 5 against Alfred.