Monmouth Women's Tennis Building from the Top
Monmouth, IL (08/27/2019) — Returning three of the top four singles players from a year ago has Monmouth College women's tennis coach Brian Jordan optimistic for the 2019 campaign.
"We feel good about the prospects for the season with a good group of returners and a very good incoming class," said Jordan. "We've got a really good balance. The returners will hold the top three spots in the order, and then we'll build below them. The newcomers are making a nice transition to college. They've put in the work they needed to over the summer and it shows."
The incoming class will be guided along by seniors McKenzie DeVilder (Kewanee, Ill./Kewanee) and Rachael Leifheit (DeKalb, Ill./Glenbard East) who are expected to hold the Nos. 2 and 3 singles positions behind junior Emma Johanns (Burlington, Iowa/Burlington) at No. 1. Leifheit returns the most wins (6) after playing at No. 4 a season ago.
"McKenzie worked hard this summer and is off to a good start," reported Jordan. "She gave Emma a challenge in practice in the first week. That was a good sign from McKenzie, but also a good sign from Emma to stay strong and pull out the comeback. As a junior now, Emma has a good handle on what to expect playing at the No. 1 position and is up to the challenge. Rachael has improved her serve and is very consistent. She'll have no trouble moving up to No. 3 from No. 4 last season."
Four of Jordan's newcomers are battling for the final three spots in the order. The early nod at No. 4 appears to be freshman Emily Laughlin (Milan, Ill./Rock Island). A three-year starter at No. 1 for the Rocks, Laughlin has the inside tract at No. 4.
"Emily is very consistent," reported Jordan. "She has the ability to hit the ball harder and that's something we're working on."
Transfer Alison Bowman (Galesburg, Ill./Galesburg) could slide into the No. 5 slot after taking two years off from the sport. A top-16 finisher in high school doubles, Bowman is shaking off the rust and is expected to elevate her game as the season moves along.
"Alison is getting more comfortable every day," praised Jordan. "It's all about getting the muscle memory back and then shifting gears to competition."
It's a two-woman battle between freshmen lefties at No. 6 where Emily Henson (Geneseo, Ill./Geneseo) and Isabel Hammond (Germantown Hills, Ill./Metamora) are deadlocked.
"It's a toss-up right now," admitted Jordan. "They're very similar in their style of play. Emily has improved her game from high school. We might wind up playing one in singles and one in doubles."
The only certainty in doubles is last year's tandem at No. 1 - Johanns and DeVilder - will remain intact. The rest of the order is anybody's guess in the early going.
"Emma and McKenzie have the experience and enjoyed playing together," said Jordan. "It just makes sense to pair them together again. Rachael (Leifheit) will be at No. 2, but the remaining three players are yet to be decided."
Jordan may team Bowman or Laughlin with Leifheit, who has experience at that doubles position. Whichever doesn't play at No. 2 will move to No. 3 with either Hammond or Henson.
"We've been doing a lot of singles work in the first week, so we really don't yet know how the doubles pairings will play out," explained Jordan. "It's a case of finding the two players who work the best together. It might even change from match to match."
The Scots won't have long to find their pairing before Midwest Conference play begins Sept. 7. Jordan's women will have just two matches under their belts prior to the league's opening doubleheader with Lake Forest and Beloit.
"It's been a challenge with so many new faces," said Jordan of compiling his lineup. "The newcomers are making a good transition to college and we expect them to continue to improve each day. Our goal is to build each year and eventually getting up to fifth in the league, then take the next step as one of the four tournament teams. We'll see how the women handle the competition. So far, they've made good progress and that's something we want to continue this year and into the future."
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