SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV -- Optimism surrounds the Shepherd College women's tennis team in 2002.
"We want to improve on last year's 5-16 record," says sixth-year coach Chris Stambaugh. "Our short term goal to finish above .500 this season. Our long term goal is to win a conference title in the next four years."
The Rams will be led by freshman Catherine Daniel, a freshman from Huntington. Daniels will play at number one singles and at number one doubles.
"Catherine is a terrific player with beautiful strokes," noted Stambaugh. "She is tiny, but powerful. Catherine has great concentration and our success will depend on her success."
Ashley Portrey, a sophomore transfer from West Virginia Wesleyan, will play at number two singles and will play at number one or two doubles.
"Ashley is a local product (Charles Town) who is very smart on the court." Stambaugh said. "She is a great net player and she is very good at using different spins to her advantage."
Jessica Rorer, a freshman from Richmond, Virginia, will play at number three singles.
"Jessica hits a very nice ball and she is very driven to win," noted Stambaugh. "She does everything she can to improve her game."
Leigh Burch a junior from Sterling, Virginia will play in the number four position. Burch will serve as team captain this season.
"Leigh has already played at two and three singles in her previous two years," Stambaugh says of Burch. "I expect a lot of success from her at the four spot."
At five will be sophomore Melissa McCabe from Urbana, Maryland, while the final spots will be taken by freshman Ashley Doorman from Woodbury, New Jersey and junior Kristen Charles of Hartly, Delaware.
"Melissa has shown vast improvement over the past year," says Stambaugh. "She is very fast on the court, I think she will surprise people. Doorman will gain valuable experience this year, while Charles will team with McCabe at number three doubles. As a doubles team, Melissa and Kristen will surprise a lot of people. They need more experience, but their attacking style will get them some wins. "