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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011
TENNIS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Duo ends rut for program
CORBIN MIHELIC
(LEFT) Freshman Dylan Windom smashes the back during her doubles match with partner freshman Paulina Los Friday at the KU Tournament. Windom/Los won both of their matches for the day with victories of 8-3 and 8-4.
Chris Bronson/KANSAN
Sophomore Dylan Windom wasn't even alive the last time a Kansas women's tennis player qualified for the main draw at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (FTA) Women's All-American Championship.
This week, Windom and senior Ekaterina Morozova will team up as the first Jayhawks to accomplish that feat since 1990. The duos currently No. 33 in the ITA Division I rankings, will face Pepperdine's Khunpak Issara and Ale Granillo on Thursday for its first-round match in Pacific Palisades, Calif.
(RIGHT) Junior Ekaterina Morozova celebrates after defeating her UMKC opponent in singles competition friday at the KU Invitational. Morozova won two sets to one.
"They made it here and they deserve to be here," coach Amy Hall-Holt said of her top doubles team. "They need to work hard and work to get every point possible to be competitive with whoever they are forced to play against."
Morozova and Windom first began playing doubles together last season, when Windom filled in for Erin Wilbert, Morozovas doubles partner at the time. Hall-Holt said their games fit well together as the spring season progressed.
The duo went 15-7 in overall doubles play and 6-5 in the Big 12, defeating two nationally-ranked opponents along the way. By the end of the season, they had earned a spot on the All-Big 12 doubles team and were ranked nationally at No. 67.
"Our energy is always high, we're always pumping each other up, and her groundstrokes easily set me up at the net," Windom said. "Everything just clicks when we play together."
Morozova and Windom have developed a friendship that spans far beyond their tennis success, despite coming from places on opposite sides of the world. Morozova
comes from Togliata, Russia, while Windsweep went in Tifton, Ga.
"We're not just a good doubles team, but we're also really good friends," Morozova said. "No matter what happens on the court, I always support her, and she always supports me."
This isn't the first time attending the ITA All-American Championship for Morozova. Last year, she played in the tournament's pre-
qualifying singles draw, and took a step forward earlier this week by competing in the qualifying singles draw, but never won any of those matches.
She also played in the ITA pre-qualifying doubles draw last year with Wilbert, where the two won their first-round match, but lost in the second round.
Morozova may hold only a 1-4 overall record at the tournament,
but she knows those experiences should help her prepare for the highly competitive main doubles draw this week.
"Dylan and I worked really hard last year and played a lot of good matches, so I think we deserve it," Morozova said. "We're good as a team; we communicate well. And for me, since it's my senior year, I'm going to do our best. We're both going to do our best."
Because of her age, Windsom is in a slightly different position from Morozova, as she may have two more opportunities to play in the tournament after this year.
"It's a great accomplishment being in the main draw of the all-American tournament as a sophomore." Windom said. "I'm just embracing the moment and having fun."
quarterfinals of the main draw this week, both Morozova and Windom will become all-Americans. Only two victories sit between them and becoming some of the elite players in program history.
If the duo makes it to the
"I would love to be named an all- American at KU," Wind said.
Edited by Mandy Matney
ROWING
Kansas' rowers push onward in last weekend's Head of the Oklahoma regatta. Its next competition is November's Head of the Hooch regatta in Tennessee.
Chris Bronson/KANSAN
Rowers' season looks bright after Oklahoma
ELISE REUTER
ereuter@kansan.com
If last weekend's Head of the Oklahoma regatta is any indication, the Kansas rowers have a bright season ahead of them. The team placed well in the competition while breaking several personal records.
Melanie Luthi, a senior from Junction City, placed third in the women's collegiate single.
"My goal was to finish first or second, and we came pretty close to that. There was some good competition," said Luthi, who faced contenders from around the globe.
The team also placed well in the women's open four, with a boat consisting of sophomore Amanda
The team has grown since last year, with a solid group of freshmen adding to the team's
"I think the team did a really good job at setting goals and meeting them," said coach Rob Catloth. "They are really driven and working hard as a group to be successful."
Lewis, sophomore Katie Hays, sophomore Emma Umbarger, freshman Erin Brogan and senior coxswain Lindsay Brickleymer. It also reached its goal of improving in the women's open eight by placing tenth with a team consisting of Brogan, Luthi, senior Paige Stephens, senior Angela Mings, junior Olivia Kinet, freshman Angie Rodriguez, junior Danielle Adam and, sophomore Jessica Miller.
Five of the new recruits have had prior experience in high school and help motivate the older members of the team to continue to work hard.
"I think this is some of the best depth we've had on the team." Catloth said. "They're very athletic and competitive."
strength.
"We definitely have a stronger foundation to build on this season, which is what you want so early on," Luthi said.
The jayhawks will face their next challenge at the Head of the Hooch regatta in Chattanooga, Tenn. on Nov. 5-6.
Edited by Ben Chipman
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