Women’s tennis begins long season: The Explorers hit the courts with high hopes this year

By Anthony Bonagura
Collegian Reporter
September 13, 2006

The school year is just beginning, and even though students are still scrambling for their schedule on various occasions, the La Salle women’s tennis team is all too familiar with its 2006-2007 season schedule.

Junior Martha Kutteh and the Explorer women’s tennis team are ready to go in 2006.

During this season, the women’s team will face Villanova, St. Joe’s and Morgan State, to name a few, before completing the season in late April for the A-10 Tournament.

This weekend, the team kicked off the season at home against Lafayette, a matchup which ended in a 5-2 loss.

It’s a long season, but the expectations are high. Ed Colfer, who is no stranger to tennis on Olney Avenue, having played on the men’s team from 1996-98, returns for his sixth season as co-head coach, accompanied by Stan Shoemaker, who is entering his third.

Mary Hardiman and Rachael Barnhart will grace the tennis courts this season as freshmen.

Hardiman, who attended New Trier High School in Wilmette, Ill., was ranked number one in 2004 and 2005 in the USTA Midwest Section.

Barnhart, who graduated from Susquehannock High School in New Freedom, Pa., was a four-year number one singles player.

Hardiman’s and Barnhart’s successes in the past can only spell “perennial all-stars” in the future.

Although the season is just beginning and the women’s tennis team has a long road ahead of them, they have potential on the squad that can only make the journey easier.

bonaguraa1@lasalle.edu