After graduating four seniors, the Stags’ women’s tennis team will look to freshmen Paulina Rys and Dana Postupack to fill key roles on the team.
Rys and Postupack are the number one doubles spot on the team, while Rys plays in the first singles spot and Postupack in the third spot.
Despite injuries and inexperience, Fairfield still expects to have a strong season.
The Stags lost sophomore Marisa Voloshin, a transfer from Boston College, who had a strong fall season to a back injury. Freshman Michaela Cerrone will also most likely miss the season with a severely sprained ankle.
“Because of injuries, things have changed dramatically from the fall. In all likelihood two of our top six players will be out for the spring,” said Head Coach Ed Paige.
“Despite the injuries it is still our intent to win the MAAC. We have the talent and everyone is going to have to step up and win,” he said.
Because of the injuries, Paige said he will look for players to take advantage of the opportunities given to them.
“Sometimes things happen for the best. Players who might not have had the chance to perform will now get the chance and will be put to the test,” Paige said.
Fairfield enters the season with three freshmen in the top six and just one senior, captain Alexis Accomando.
Paige believes Accomando will be an important member of the team as captain, leading the young team.
“If there is ever a time that a team needs it’s captain it is now. I have no doubt that Alexis will display supreme leadership qualities and be up to the task,” Paige said.
Rys and Postupack both found early success in the spring season. Each of them won their flights at the ECAC tournament, helping the team to a third place finish. Rys became the first Stag in seven seasons to win a match at the difficult ITA Northeast Regionals.
Postupack is 11-1 so far in her singles career.
“I look at the successes I have already had as a confidence boost,” Rys said. “It helped prove that I can play in this tough position [first singles] and pick up wins.”
“The spring season though will be more difficult. I think the hard work we put in as a team during the past few months should pay off, despite the unfortunate injuries,” she said.
Postupack believes that as the team works together more, they will continue to find success.
“Our team has been working hard and training hard and are ready to compete at top level tennis,” Postupack said. “For most of us it is our first year and we are just going to go out there striving to do our best. With the experience we gain this season, our team will be stronger in the end.”
For Rys and Postupack it is important to develop chemistry on the court, as they will likely be the top doubles team for the next four seasons.
“Developing chemistry with Paulina is extremely important,” said Postupack. “We have already done that by playing in double tournaments in the fall and I have already seen tremendous improvement. We will only get better as the season goes on.”
Rys believes that the team’s youth will help them this season and in the future, as they grow together.
“This team has incredibly close relationships. Being a young team contributes greatly to how we perform this season,” Rys said. “We are a very talented team but many of us have yet to get used to playing tennis on a college level. I think the next few years will bring in much success as the team matures.”
Accomando has been impressed by the two freshmen so far.
“Paulina and Dana are intergal parts of the team,” said Accomando. “Paulina is the most team oriented person I ever have ever played with. Dana is the most mentally-tough freshman I’ve ever seen. We will look for their continued success from the fall in the spring.”
Leave a Reply