The women’s tennis team opens their 2013 spring season this weekend as they host Big East opponent, St. John’s University on Saturday, January 26 at 8pm at the Stamford Indoor Courts. This season the Stags will look to continue their undefeated MAAC regular season streak and defend their MAAC title.
Last season, the Stags clinched the 2012 MAAC Regular Season Championship title for the fourth-straight season and recaptured the MAAC Championship title earning an NCAA berth to take on the Pac12’s USC in the first round. They finished with a 14-7 overall record, and a perfect 7-0 in the MAAC. The team holds a 23-match win streak in MAAC play, not having dropped to a MAAC opponent during the regular season since April 4, 2009. In addition to the entire women’s team returning for the 2013 spring campaign, three freshmen are added to the lineup.
The team had great success last season as displayed by the numerous honors on the All-MAAC First and Second Teams.
With a very experienced squad featuring senior Nikki Jackson and four juniors, Paige identifies his juniors as the “backbone” of the team.
“Like the men, our four juniors comprise the backbone of our team. All four are expected to play in the singles lineup and all four are extremely talented, and have the ability to get even better. Our goal will be for them to work hard every day in practice and to truly play their best tennis this year.”
Jackson is the sole senior on the squad looking to close out her final campaign with a third championship ring. Jackson is coming off a season in which she earned spots on the All-MAAC First Team at both No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles.
Monica Yajima became the first-ever Fairfield women’s tennis player to receive back-to-back MAAC Player of the Year awards. She returns for her junior season after another standout campaign earning First Team honors for No. 1 singles, as well as No. 1 doubles. Yajima went a perfect 6-0 in conference play including a 20-8 overall record in singles.
Junior Sharissa Ryan also had an extraordinary season having made the All-MAAC First Team at No. 2 singles and No. 2 doubles. She also received the MAAC Women’s Tennis Championship Most Outstanding Performer award.
Carolina Koladzyn and Victoria Pirrello also return for their third season at Fairfield, both earned spots on the All-MAAC squads after their sophomore campaigns. Koladzyn made First Team at No. 4 singles and No. 1 doubles, while Pirrello finished with a First Team spot at No. 3 doubles and a Second Team spot at No. 4 singles.
Returning for their sophomore campaigns are Emma Samson and Allison Radde. Radde made an immediate impact on the squad last season earning a First Team No. 2 doubles spot and her first career title from the USTA Women’s Invitational.
The three freshmen to round out the women’s roster are Holly Ream, Caroline McCann, and Maggie McLaughlin.
"We have a strong freshman class of three,” Paige continues, “Maggie played extremely well this fall and should see ample playing time this spring. Holly and Caroline worked hard with the same amount of effort and will continue to improve and help us down the road."
The Stags will face a non-conference schedule comprised of teams such as St. John’s, Providence, Albany, Seton Hall, Fairleigh Dickinson, Villanova, Hofstra, and LaSalle, to prepare them for the regular and postseason. In 2013, the MAAC Championship Tournament will be held in West Windsor, N.J. over the last weekend of April.
