FRIENDS OF WESLEYAN MEN’S and WOMEN’S

August 2007 • Freeman Athletic Center • Wesleyan University • Middletown, CT 06459

Greetings from Middletown. in the future, since both squads are loaded with sophomores and juniors The height of summer has arrived, and I who have already established themselves as solid collegiate players. hope you are spending some quality time On the women’s side, three members of the class of ’09 played on the tennis court, enjoying the great game numbers one, two, and three singles: Ania Preneta (, Mass.), all of us so much appreciate. I’d like to fill Madalina Ursu (Bucharest, Romania), and Rachael Ghorbani (Lexington, you in on all the goings-on with Wesleyan Mass.). After senior team captain Tori Santoro fractured her collarbone tennis as I prepare to enter my fourth year and Emily Fish ’09 (Chestnut Hill, Mass.) decided to take a leave from as the Cardinals’ men’s and women’s ten- Wesleyan, three first-year women held the four through six positions: nis coach. Anika Fischer (New York City), Meredith Holmes (Ivy, Va.), and Casey Simchik (Rye, N.H.). The doubles lineup featured Madalina and Anika Commencement at number one, Rachael and Alexandra Sirois ’09 (Koloa, Hawaii), at Four Wesleyan tennis players received two, and Ania and Lizzie Collector ’09 (Santa Barbara, Calif.) at the their degrees this spring. Tori Santoro (Car- Head Coach Ken Alrutz third position. lisle, Mass.), Vijay Chaudhuri (Glen Ridge, The men’s lineup displayed a bit more flux. While Tallen Todorovich N.J.), Jack Rooney (Rancho Murieta, Calif.), and Tallen Todorovich and Jack Rooney, two of the three senior tri-captains, held the first and (Pound Ridge, N.Y.). All four of these student-athletes displayed their second singles positions, Paul Gerdes ’09 (Omaha, Neb.) played in dedication to their teammates and sport each time they walked onto the the third slot, Matthew O’Connell ’09 (Berwyn, Pa.) usually manned courts. They also exemplified the Division III ideal of placing academics number four, Jaafar Rizvi (Burlingto, Vt.) covered number five, and first, as they graduated within four years and head toward successful Michael Frank ’08 (Lexington, Mass.) held down number six, virtually careers. Both Tori and Jack were honored this year as members of the every other player on the team shared playing time, and the singles con- academic all-NESCAC team. Everyone associated with Wes Tennis tributions of these men cannot be over-emphasized. They include the wishes them nothing save the best! third tri-captain Vijay Chaudhuri ‘07, junior classmates Pauri Pandian ‘08 (Hingham, Mass.) and Max Schenkein ‘08 (San Francisco, Calif.), Awards members of the class of ’09 Alejandro Alvarado (Jamaica Plain, Mass.), During the Athletic Department’s all-sports banquet held May 10, Roy Chung (Sammamish, Wash.), and Graham Immerman (Florence, Madalina Ursu ’09 received the Jones Award as the player deemed Mass.), and first-year Miles Krieger ‘10 (Prescott, Ariz.). A variety most valuable in women’s tennis; Vijay Chaudhuri ’07 won the Wood of doubles pairings saw action for the Cardinals, but at the end of the Memorial Award as the player “demonstrating leadership, discipline, season, Tallen and Jack played one, Matthew and Jaafar two, and Paul competitive spirit, and sportsmanship;” and Tallen Todorovich ‘07, for and Alejandro three. the second year in a row, was the Millett and Burton Memorial Award recipient as the “doubles player who best combines the qualities of skill, Highlights spirit, and sportsmanship.” These awards are particularly meaningful, Two major events characterized the 2006-07 Cardinal tennis campaign, because the two teams vote for them. one in the fall and one in the spring. Both teams dedicated their seasons to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, raising awareness and money as well as promoting educational efforts. The Affiliate Director of the Komen Foundation indicated that Wesleyan’s was the first intercollegiate tennis program in the United States to support the organization. All Wesleyan opponents, women and men, received information packets and pink bracelets before their matches. In addition, Cardinal players dedicated each of their individual contests either to breast-cancer victims or to breast-cancer survivors. Many other schools have contacted Wesleyan tennis and the Komen Foundation, wishing to implement educational and fundraising programs modeled after ours. At the final women’s match of the fall, Vijay Chaudhuri ‘07 Tallen Todorovich ‘07 Madalina Ursu ‘09 NBC TV-30 provided wonderful coverage of the elaborate silent auction, displays, booths, and the team. Please examine it through the following 2006-07 Season Review link: < http://www.cefale.com/Komen_Event >. This entire experience The programs’ combined record of 21-17 is the second year in a row indicates that Wesleyan tennis players understand they are part of a larger that Wesleyan tennis enjoyed a winning record, following the previous community and that they take very seriously their responsibility to other year’s 21-9 mark. Equally important is the promise of exciting times people. Coach Alrutz and all the players wish to thank such com- panies and businesses as Wilson, Prince, Head/Penn, Nike, and the Women Racquet Koop for their generous support of the effort. Lizzie Collector** Jr. Santa Barbara, CA/Santa Barbara HS After beginning spring practice on February 15 in the friendly Anika Fischer* So. New York, NY/Hunter College HS confines of Bacon Field House, the two teams and Coaches Rikki and Rachael Ghorbani* Jr. Lexington, MA/Lexington HS Ken journeyed to Orlando for five days of work in the sun of Florida. Meredith Holmes* So. Ivy, VA/St. Anne’s Belfield School Although the players had been together for six months and had played 12 Linda McDougal Fr. Kathmandu, Nepal/The Lincoln School matches/tournaments in the fall, this trip reinforced the sense of together- Ania Preneta* Jr. Boston, MA/Boston Latin School ness that marks Wesleyan tennis and is one of its salient selling points Casey Simchik* So. Rye, NH/Phillips Exeter Academy for recruits. Both the men and women competed against six opponents Alex Sirois* Jr. Koloa, HI/Kauai HS ranging from fellow NCAA Division III schools, to Division II, NAIA, Madalina Ursu* Jr. Bucharest, Romania/Mihai Viteazul and even Division I institutions—all scholarship-granting programs. National College You should be proud of the Cardinals’ results! The men compiled a *2006-07 Letterwinner (8) **Captain super 4-2 record while the women swept all six matches, highlighted by victories over the University of Puerto Rico and Manhattan College, About the Recruits each of which came down to the final doubles match on the court. Among the players expected to bolster the men’s and women’s teams during the next four years are two outstanding student-ath- Captains letes from very different parts of the world. Both of them applied At the final team meeting of the spring, the women players to Wesleyan during the early-decision periods, and everyone here elected Lizzie Collector ‘09 captain for the 2007-08 season. is extremely pleased that they will be joining us. Pauri Pandian ‘08, Max Schenkein ‘08, and Michael Frank ‘08 Matthew Schaff ‘11 from Boise, Idaho was a two-sport star will serve as tri-captains for the men this year. in high school, playing championship basketball as well as tennis. 2007-08 PRESEASON ROSTERS His size and strength enable him to hit big serves and dominate the forecourt. Men A native of Kathmandu, Nepal, Linda McDougal ‘11 is ranked Name Class Hometown/Secondary School number one in her country and regularly competes in, among other Alejandro Alvarado* Jr. Jamaica Plain, MA/Noble & Greenough Roy Chung* Jr. Sammamish, WA/Skyline HS places, India. She mentions that one of her earliest memories is Michael Frank** Sr. Lexington, MA/Belmont Hill School riding on an elephant with her father, who studies tigers, tracking Paul Gerdes* Jr. Omaha, NE/Westside HS the big cats through the jungle. Linda will bring a solid all-court Graham Immerman* Jr. Florence, MA/Northampton HS game to the Cardinal line-up. Miles Krieger* So. Prescott, AZ/Prescott HS Matt O’Connell* Jr. Berwyn, PA/Conestoga HS Pauri Pandian** Sr. Hingham, MA/Hanover HS Jaafar Rizvi* Jr. Burlington, VT/Burlington HS Matt Schaff Fr. Boise, ID/Bishop Kelly HS Max Schenkein** Sr. San Francisco, CA/Norwell (MA) HS *2006-07 Letterwinner (10) **Tri-Captain

Clad in pink t-shirts in honor of the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation, the Wesleyan men’s and women’s tennis teams didicated their seasons to raising awareness and funds for the cause. The teams will be determining their community service avenue for 2007-08 shortly. Tennis Tip from Coach Ken/Alrutz Family News SUPPORT WESLEYAN MEN’S & WOMEN’S TENNIS Contemporary tennis is built upon aggressiveness, and all seri- Please consider making a donation in support ous players understand the three basic ways to rob their opponents of Wesleyan University men’s and women’s tennis. of time. They can hit massive pace, generating it with polyester strings and pronounced upper-body rotation. Think All donations are tax-deductible. Please note that this gift and . Other players can stand close to the baseline and does not count toward the unrestricted “Wesleyan Fund,” take the ball on the rise. No one was better than Andre at this tactic. but you will be counted as a participant in Wesleyan’s current The classic aggressive move, however, is to close the net and finish fundraising campaign. We hope you also will support the a point with a well-placed volley. When you want to improve your Wesleyan Fund each year. Thanks for all your support!! volleying technique, focus on these things: Name ______• Use a continental grip for both the forehand and the backhand Class (Wes Grad or Parent [P'xx]) ______volleys. • Keep your racket head above your wrist. Unless your name is Address ______John McEnroe, you cannot hit successful volleys if you drop the racket ______head. Phone ______• Maintain a firm wrist. Do not slap the ball. • Make certain your racket hand stays in front of your body. Elimi- e-mail Address ______nate the backswing from your volley. Please make checks payable to: Wesleyan University • Punch toward your target. The ball will go where your hand and put “men’s tennis ” and/or “women’s tennis” in the memo goes. area. Return this form with your check to: • Move forward on the volley if at all possible. The crossover step Ken Alrutz, Head Tennis Coach, followed by the recovery or anchor step will help generate pace on the Wesleyan U., Middletown, CT 06459 shot. To make your gift online, please go to: www.wesleyan.edu Remember, the percentages are on your side if you move for- and click on “Give to Wesleyan.” Be sure to include the tennis ward! team of your choice (or both) in the comment area. My family remains totally involved in tennis at many different levels. This past spring, my daughter and Wesleyan’s volunteer as- Letter from David Schenkein sistant coach, Rikki, won a professional tournament in Europe. The One of the joys of coaching is meeting former players who have es- French Tennis Federation offered her a wild card into the event, and tablished themselves in their careers. One of these people is David Schen- she responded by capturing seven matches in seven days on the slow kein, the Father of current Cardinal Max. red clay or “terre battue.” Her brother, 12-year old Graham, began his “When I reflect back on my years at Wes- USTA tournament adventure in February. To date, he has reached 10 leyan, my four years on the tennis team always stand singles finals, winning six of them (including a grass-court event played out amongst the best of the memories. It feels like in Newport) and earning a current New England Boys’ 12 ranking of yesterday that I was on the Vine Street courts with number nine. The highlight of the last few months for him was winning Don Long walking between the courts as we battled the New England Sectional Doubles Championship at Yale, certainly the against Amherst, Williams and other schools. It was most prestigious age-group tournament of the year. On August 23, the the sense of ‘team’ that made it so special - a feeling section will recognize him and its other winners on Center Court of the that was solidified on our spring trips down to the Carolinas for long days of tennis in the sun. International Tennis Hall of Fame between matches of the Champions “While I was fortunate enough also to play squash for Don, the great- Cup, the seniors’ tour event. Both Rikki and Graham started hitting est feeling has been to go back to Wes and watch my son play on the team tennis balls at three years of age, so it is never too early (or too late for on those same Vine street courts. Over his years on the team I have been that matter) to learn “the game for a lifetime.” struck by the steady improvement in the quality of the players recruited to In May, the United States Professional Tennis Association named both the men’s and women’s teams under the direction of Ken Alruz and I me the New England College Coach of the Year. This award transcends have been pleased to see Max’s tennis and that of his teammates improve NCAA divisions, so it actually recognizes the success of Wesleyan’s under his coaching. The men’s and women’s squads continue to mature into tennis programs. At the organization’s spring convention held on Cape real ‘teams’. I was so proud of their efforts last year to raise awareness for Cod, my daughter and I won the New England Division’s seminar contest breast cancer research by wearing pink wristbands, naming a woman they for our presentation of “Yoga and Pilates: A Winning Combination for were playing for at each match and raising money for a worthy cause. Tennis.” We will next compete at the USPTA’s National Convention “While the program is going great it needs your help. I see what a dif- in September. ference it made to the squash program when a group of us donated funds to help build the new squash facility (including a court named for Don). This Travel Information newsletter and efforts to raise funds for the tennis program are critical to continue to recruit new talent. I hope that you can join me as a “friend” of All tennis enthusiasts should visit the International Tennis Hall the tennis program, either because you played for Wes tennis, your child of Fame in Newport R.I. Walking through the Casino’s entrance and does so now, or you just love to see the young men and women playing seeing the famous “horseshoe’s” grass court is simply startling for their hearts out on Vine Street. Thanks for your support: Go Wes!” anyone who enjoys the game. The grounds contain 13 grass courts, David Schenkein ‘79 which are open to the public for a fee, one clay court, a “real” or court tennis facility, and of course the museum. The exhibits range from the first U.S. Championship trophy won by in 1885, In Closing to dresses designed by , and the outfit and shoes worn After the extremely successful spring trip to Florida, the Wes coaches by at this year’s Wimbledon. Films, photographs, and team members will decide early in the fall whether they will return to Orlando, journey to Hilton Head, or make alternative plans. In any event, rackets of all types (including a Bancroft played by “Big” , such a trip is expensive. All of us associated with Cardinal tennis would arguably the greatest male player of all time, in the 1920’s), and greatly appreciate any financial help you might offer toward this trip and thousands of other objects important to the development of the game toward equipment and clothing purchases as well. All the best to you and contribute to an enjoyable and relatively inexpensive experience. thanks so much. Friends of Wesleyan Men’s and Women’s Tennis Freeman Athletic Center Wesleyan University Middletown, CT 06459

2007 FALL MEN’S & WOMEN’S TENNIS SCHEDULE 2007-08 Team Captains

Sept. 11 (Tue) Springfield (women) HOME 3:30 15 (Sat) Skidmore (women) Away 10:00 16 (Sun) Wheaton Invitational (men) Wheaton 10:00 19 (Wed) Springfield (men) Away 4:00

21-23 (Fr-Su) ITA Tournament (women) MIT Lizzie 26 (Wed) M.I.T. (men) HOME 3:30 Collector ‘09 28-30 (Fr-Su) ITA Tournament (men) Williams Michael Frank ‘08 Oct. 3 (Wed) Conn. College (women) Away 3:30

5 (Fri) Colby-Sawyer (women) HOME 3:30 Max Schenkein 7 (Sun) Bates (men/women) HOME 3:30/1:00 ‘08 Pauri 10 (Wed) Coast Guard (men) Away 3:30 Pandian ‘08 12 (Fri) Babson (men) HOME 3:30 14 (Sun) Colby-Sawyer (men) Away TBA 16 (Tue) Babson (women) Away 3:00 19-21 (Fr-Su) N.E. Div. III Tournament (w) Amherst