Women's Tennis vs. North Alabama - Postmatch Quotes
2/19/2010 6:00:00 PM | Women's Tennis
Chattanooga Tennis - Postmatch Quotes
North Alabama at Chattanooga
UTC Tennis Courts - Chattanooga, Tenn.
Feb. 19, 2010
Chattanooga Coach Jeff Clark
Opening statement:
"I'm very proud of the team for getting the first win of the season. We've had some bad luck with weather and postponed matches in recent weeks. So for us to get out here on a beautiful day and play in front of our home fans it was just a super day to get our first win of the season."
On the long layoff because of the weather:
"Right now, this should have been our seventh match of the year, but as it is, it's only our third. Anytime you have a two week break between matches you're going to be a little rusty. Also, the first outdoor match always brings its own challenges. But I was really proud of our team. We came out with a lot of enthusiasm and played pretty well from the beginning of the doubles to the end of the singles."
On the upcoming Conference matches:
"We've just got to keep getting a little better with each match. We've got to be willing to stay out there a long time and play the long matches. When you play tough opponents, you've got to be ready to play a three-set singles match or a close doubles match every time. If you know that going in, hopefully you have the confidence to carry it through.
On the play of Grace Robinette coming off an injury:
"She hasn't played a singles match since September of 2008. Grace is a very good team player and a very good tennis player. When she's healthy, our team is better. So I'm so proud of Grace to get that first win today. We're going to need her. It was good also to see Beata Knizat to get her first singles win. She missed all of last year with a shoulder injury. For those two girls who had the major surgeries to come back and be the first two off the court in singles, I am really proud of them.
Who else stood out?:
"Shaina Singh, I thought really played well in doubles and singles, and she showed that she's not a freshman anymore. She played like she's been here before. Then it was great to see Jenna Nurik, a freshman, with a pretty convincing win in the number one singles. Everybody is good at one.
On Emily Hangstefer's close match:
"Happy that Emily could pull it out. It was really close. I was happy for her. She didn't play great, but she kept her head down and found a way to win.
Junior Grace Robinette
On coming back from an injury:
"It feels great. Today was a good day and getting a victory on top was amazing for the team. I'm just excited to be back playing. The team was very supportive and its just great to be back playing.
On the first home match of the spring:
It's always good to win on your home court. We had a good fan base today and I hope they come out again. Playing here is better and winning is even sweeter.
On getting prepared for the rest of the season:
We just need to be ready and play our game. College of Charleston is our first match and they're a good team. They won conference last year. We need to be mentally prepared to play them. We can beat them, we just have to be mentally prepared and play like we're capable of playing.
