Women's tennis dominates

by Zach Mann

The Lewis & Clark College women’s tennis team is off to a great start this season. They are 5-3 overall with a 3-1 record in conference. With thirteen games left to play, expect to see the team become a dominant factor going into the Northwest Conference Tournament in April. The relatively young women’s team has been consistently successful this season behind the excellent play of both experienced and new players.

Nothing short of “dominating” would do justice in describing senior Sara Schipani’s success on the tennis court this season. Her wicked forehand, steady backhand, solid volleys, and unparalleled determination have made her the best player in the Northwest Conference over the past four years. No one has dominated the sport like she has. Heading into this weekend’s action, Schipani has compiled an 8-0 record, beating the best players of Portland State, Southern Oregon, and Linfield.

While Schipani’s streak continues to impress, the rest of the Pios are making waves in the conference as well. After a disappointing weekend, where the women saw their once perfect conference record receive a blemish after injuries and illness sidelined two of their top four players, they hope to regain their winning ways this weekend. The Pioneers play against Pacific University this afternoon and against George Fox tomorrow. Both games take place at the LC tennis dome.

Leading the Pios resurgence behind Schipani has been Junior Laura Willner and sophomores Mary Assini and Carly Groszhan. Willner is a three-year letterman while Assini and Groszhan are making their first appearances as Pioneers this season. Assini attended LC last year but opted not to play. The tennis bug hit her hard over the off-season and her love of the game pushed her to try out for the team in 2003. Playing at number four, three, and two singles, she has compiled a 6-2 record with a 1-0 mark at the number two slot.

Groszhan is a transfer from Yakima Valley Community College. At LC she has primarily played at the number two spot where she has four victories to only three loses. Backing up Schipani is not a difficult task. With the best player in the conference heading the Pioneer team, opponents will often place a weaker opponent at the number one spot – all but conceding that match and playing their true number one player against Groszhan.

Aside from the pickup of Assini and Groszhan, the most important reason for their resurgence this season has been strength throughout the lineup. No holes exist anywhere in the first six positions. What is dismal for LC opponents is that the chances for victory are less and less likely the further down the order they get. Sophomores Emily Craft and Kristin Head have a combined 9-2 record at the five and six singles slots. Head is undefeated this year and Craft lost her only conference match when she was forced to play number four singles against powerhouse Linfield.

With a balanced lineup and emotional leadership from the upperclassmen, the Pios will be making their case to be named “Champion” at the end of the season. Until then, check out the women this weekend at the tennis dome and watch one of LC’s best sports team.

Women's golf opens with 2nd place victory

by Chris Ryan

After overcoming horrendous weather conditions at their first Conference tournament, the UPS Women's Invitational, the Lewis & Clark women’s golf team finished in second place. They overcame 30-plus mile an hour winds, temperatures in the low 30s (with the

wind-chill) and periodic heavy rains. It was truly a "winter day!" In fact, during their post-match diner, the ladies team joked that it had seemed like a day on the ski slopes rather than the golf course.

It actually was blizzard conditions in the Snolqualmie pass and it snowed lightly in the higher areas of Tacoma both mornings that they were there. They didn't have any snow at the course, but according to several players it felt like it could snow at any minute.

The scores were unusually high due to the conditions, but that did not stop the lady Pios from holding on to second place. They were in second after the first day of competition by only one stroke. One can only imagine the determination that was required to get the job done.

This year’s team is shaping up as one of the strongest in LC’s women’s golf history.

According to Coach Mary Joe McCloskey, “the talent is definitely there. We are working hard and looking forward to the tournament this weekend. We are hoping for better weather.”

Sophomore Mari Kotake, the Northwest Conference's defending champion, led the Pioneers to their overall two-day score of 797 with a score of 190. Kotake finished 7th overall for the tournament. The best personal score for the 5985-yard course was a 177. Lewis & Clark was one of only two teams (the other being champion Linfield) to have a single day score below 400.

Next week’s Whitman Invitational tournament will be held in Walla Walla, Washington at Veteran’s Memorial Country Club.