Tennis 2015 Season Recap
May 19 | Women's Tennis
PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Competing in its inaugural season in the Big Ten Conference, the Rutgers tennis team had a number of team and individual triumphs during the 2015 spring campaign.
"It was a big challenge going to the Big Ten. The challenge is that tennis in the northeast and in our former conference is on a regional platform, where we have competed very successfully. Then overnight, we transitioned to a national platform," said head coach Ben Bucca. "We were unsure how we would do this year, but then once we started competing against our ranked, conference opponents we saw that we could contend with them."
Battling amongst some of the toughest competition in collegiate tennis, the Scarlet Knights concluded the season with a 6-14 overall record. Overall, RU faced eight nationally ranked opponents, seven of which were conference foes.
Junior Gina Li (Hillsbourough, N.J.) led the squad with nine single victories, while freshman Chloe Lee Alburquerque, N.M.) picked up a team-high three conference wins in singles action. The Scarlet Knights graduate one senior in captain Lindsay Balsamo (Wall, N.J.).
TEAM MVP
Following the season, Chloe Lee was named the team MVP for her outstanding performance and dedication throughout the year. Lee led Rutgers with three Big Ten wins to highlight an impressive rookie season in singles competition. She produced two conference advantages in the No. 2 singles position against then-No. 21 Northwestern and Wisconsin and picked up a No. 3 singles victory versus then-No. 73 Michigan State. Lee finished the season with a 7-13 singles record.
"As a freshman, Chloe was forced to play a little higher than intended to injury on the team," said Bucca. "She played a number of singles matches at the No. 2 position, but she handled herself very well. Once we started competing in Big Ten play, she saw that she could contend with her opponents and she really showed a strong competitive spirit. It was great to have her out there representing the team."
BIG TEN ACCOLADES
Lindsay Balsamo was recognized her for her leadership and commitment to her teammates, earning the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. As a senior captain, Balsamo set a high standard for the program and guided the group to adhering to that image. She was a big supporter of the girls by her side and persevered in competition on the court.
"Lindsay had a great senior year," said Bucca. "She did everything that we could have asked for as far as her being a captain and a leader. She provided strong leadership through her actions and her critique of the squad. I give her a lot of credit for being a supportive and motivational captain."
ITA AWARDS
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) named junior Lindsey Kayati (Monroeville, N.J.) the ITA/Cissie Leary Award for Sportsmanship recipient and Hilary Ritchie as the Assistant Coach of the Year for the Northeast Region.
The ITA/Cissie Leary Award for Sportsmanship goes to a Division I women's player who displays inspiring dedication and commitment to her team, which has enhanced her team's performance and exemplified the spirit of college tennis. Additionally, the award also recognizes an obstacle the student-athlete must overcome to play collegiate tennis.
At age 13, Kayati was diagnosed with epilepsy, a disease of the brain causing severe seizures. People with epilepsy may suffer multiple seizures within a 24-hour period. Despite the daily struggles of living with the disorder, Kayati has pursued her dream of playing collegiate tennis and has overcome the constant battle.
Ritchie of the coaching staff picked up an honor of her own, being named the Assistant Coach of the Year for the Northeast Region. Ritchie has helped guided the program through three conference changes, as well as competition in an intense region of play, since arriving "On the Banks."
INDIVIDUAL HIGHLIGHTS
In singles action, junior Gina Li (Hillsborough, N.J.) led the way for Rutgers, compiling a 9-11 overall record in the No. 1 singles position. Li was one of four Scarlet Knights to have two or more wins in conference play with individual victories against then-No. 69 Minnesota and Penn State.
"The No. 1 singles position is always demanding, especially this year against national caliber teams. For Gina to come through with the victories she did amongst her competition is truly a testament to her skill level and competitiveness," Bucca proclaimed.
Junior Mariam Zein (Sugarland, Texas) and Balsamo also had two conference wins during the 2015 campaign, as Zein finished with a 8-11 overall singles record while Balsamo contributed six singles victories throughout the season. Sophomore Farris Cunningham (Houston, Texas) added depth for RU in singles play, appearing in seven Big Ten singles matches.
Zein and Li proved to be the most successful duo in doubles action for Rutgers during the spring with a 6-4 record in doubles play. Balsamo and Lee combined for five victories in the No. 2 doubles position and freshman Lee Levy (Haifa, Israel) and Kayati added four wins together in the No. 3 doubles spot.
Lee and Zein teamed up for the team's lone doubles victory in conference play, defeating Wisconsin's Maria Avgerinos and Lauren Chypyha, 8-4, March 29 in the No. 1 doubles match.
TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
Rutgers started the season on a high note, as the Scarlet Knights produced a dominant 6-1 victory Feb. 5 against in-state opponent Fairleigh Dickenson at the East Brunswick Racquet Club. RU swept the doubles point and won five of six singles matches to secure the match victory.
After another 6-1 win Feb. 14 at Army, the Scarlet Knights picked up back-to-back triumphs against NJIT and Seton Hall. RU swept the Highlanders, 7-0, Feb. 20 and cruised to a 5-2 advantage five days later on Feb. 5 against the Pirates. In all, Rutgers went 3-1 against opponents from New Jersey during the 2015 season, with its lone loss to a Garden State foe in a grueling match at then No. 60 Princeton.
Following its Big Ten debut at Maryland, RU edged Navy, 4-3, on March 1 in Annapolis, Md. Li and Zein produced a win in the No. 1 doubles position, while Kayati and Levy passed Mikaela Carlson and Rozel Hernandez, 8-6, to help the Scarlet Knights win the doubles point. Rutgers would add three more singles victories in the match for the win.
RU added a 4-3 victory March 16 against Buffalo during the Scarlet Knights annual spring break trip before competing in eight-straight Big Ten matches to conclude the season.
SEASON REVIEW
"We came up shorter than we had hoped in the end, but the team really felt we played well and we made a statement this season," said Bucca.
"This year gave us confidence moving forward. We now have familiarity with our opponents, which is something that breeds confidence. Having played everyone, next year we will know what to expect and we now know we can competed with all these teams."
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding women's tennis, follow the program on Twitter @RUwtennis. Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on both social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
-RU-
Players Mentioned
