March 23, 2004

The Lady Dons traveled to the East Coast for our week long spring break trip.

We started off in Connecticut with a match up against Quinnipiac University where the indoor courts had ceilings as high as my bedroom. Lobbing was immediately eliminated from the picture. Luckily, it didn't seem to throw off Skogerboe's game.

We battled for 5 ½ hours to pull off the victory. After losing the doubles point and losing three first sets right off the bat, it wasn't looking good. The Dons are fighters and everyone knows it. They battled back, as Tiegs, Ruiz, and Laranjinha all won their second sets and then all closed out the third sets. Pink Shoes Pamart closed out her match in three sets as well and Skogerboe cruised in two sets, for a 5-2 victory over Quinnipiac.

Next up, was the University of Connecticut where we had another close battle and a bit higher ceilings. We took the doubles point this time and then swiped up three of the singles matches. Pamart crushed her opponents in about 30 minutes, Blazin Ruiz battled out a three setter, and Skogerboe clinched in two sets for another close win, 4-3.

It was off to Boston in the snow storm. I am sure those East Coasters must have been saying "those drivers must be from California the way they drive in the snow." We got used to the Mass Turnpike bridgetolls and learned to have our money out and ready.

We played Boston University in their new complex that is of a surface even slower than clay. It was a beautiful facility and a fun match. We won the doubles as Duncan and Skogerboe were on a rampage winning now all three of their doubles. You could see the confidence building to the point they were winning the match in the eyes of their opponents before even starting the match. They are a pretty intimidating duo.

In singles, we played well, but it was a higher level of play than we had seen yet this season. Skogerboe came through once again improving her singles record on the trip to 3-0 as she was the sole singles winner of the day. We dropped the match 2-5.

Then it was off to Boston College, the slickest, fastest, darkest facility ever seen. At least we got to see it. That was an accomplishment in itself after getting lost for two hours around Boston in what should have been a 15 minute van ride. Of course, these are the things the girls seem to never forget. I will hear about this for a full four years. Anyway, we started off with singles and this team was even a step up from yesterday's level of play at BU. It was a facility and match we just kind of put by the wayside as we spent longer traveling to the courts than we spent playing on the courts. Not a good sign.

Lastly, we played Harvard. I think we all agreed it was just an amazing place, with a phenomenal facility, and a great team. It was an honor to play the 17th ranked team in the country and see how we matched up. It was great o see how far our tennis program has come to even be on the same courts as Harvard. We had some great points and are truly not far behind bringing our program to this next level. It is an inspiration as to where we are headed the next few years.

Player of the Week: Anna Skogerboe - Hands down, played phenomenally all week long. She competed so well in every match. She pulled off wins in doubles and singles against Quinnipiac, UConn, and Boston University. She lost a close three set single match to BC and a close second set to Harvard, falling 7-5. She finds a way to compete in every match. Her confidence on the court is an inspiration as well and gives her an immediate advantage over her opponents. DQ Skogerboe can be pretty intimidating out there. J

Fans of the Week: Goes out to the Tiegs family of Minnesota for making the trip back there and for all their support and cheering. We loved it!!!!! Thanks to our Director of Athletics, Bill Hogan for making the trip as well. It was great to have the support from the athletic department back there.

WHAT'S ON TAP: UC Irvine Invitational

We are the road yet again heading down to Irvine for three matches, Sunday - Tuesday for some more tough matches. We will be looking to play some of our best tennis all season.

Home Turf: We will be having Fan Appreciation Day on April 3rd at Golden Gate Park. We will take on the Univ of Nevada, Reno at 11 am and the men's team will be playing Sacramento State at the same time. It will be so much fun!!!!! FREE SANDWICHES.