Women's Tennis | 2/15/2013 9:03:00 AM

The Methodist women's tennis team, under the direction of eighth-year Head Coach Francie Barragan, has reached new heights since she took over the program in 2005. Barragan has led the Monarchs to five NCAA Tournament trips in her first seven years, including each of the last three years, as MU has won five of the last six USA South Conference Championships.
 
In 2012, the Monarchs went 22-4 overall and 8-1 in conference play. The 22-win season marked the third straight year, and fourth time in the last five years, that the Green & Gold had eclipsed the 20-win plateau. However, that does not mean that the program is content with simply advancing to the NCAA Tournament.
 
“Our goal is to make the NCAA's every year,” Barragan noted. “It is not easy to qualify, as we have to compete with strong teams like Meredith, CNU and N.C. Wesleyan. We want to compete against the best and hopefully not only make it to the NCAA tournament, but get past the second round.”
 
And Barragan is not lying when she says she wants to compete against the best as a trip to the NCAA Tournament often means a second-round matchup with perennial powers such as Emory (NCAA Champs from 2003-06) and Washington and Lee (NCAA Champs in 2007), among others.
 
Looking to help the Monarchs break-through in the postseason is an experienced roster featuring five seniors and a promising group of underclassmen.
 
Among the upperclassmen with the most experience are seniors Katherine Meindl, Rachel Purser and Kelli Shelton, as well as junior Laura Baker. Meindl, who played No. 1 last year, has been first team all-conference each of the last three years. Purser, a First Team All-USA South selection in 2012, posted a 12-6 record in singles last season mainly at No. 2 singles, while also notching a 15-2 record in doubles with Dana Powell.
 
Shelton, who earned third team all-conference recognition last year, recorded an 18-6 record in singles, playing primarily at the No. 5 position, while also going 12-9 overall in doubles. Seniors Stacey Brooks and Reca Wilson also bring valuable experience to the team.
 
Baker, the USA South Tournament MVP in 2012, went 20-1 in singles play and 16-5 in doubles last year. The team is very excited about her return after studying abroad this fall.  
 
Joining the upperclassmen will be a trio of sophomores in Emily Talley, Hillary Petruska and Stephanie Hunter, in addition to freshmen Isabella Graf and Samantha Brzenk.
 
Petruska had a successful fall campaign, advancing to the finals of the “B” draw at the ITA Regional Championships, while also making the finals of the consolation bracket of the “A” doubles draw with Graf.  Emily Talley also had solid fall tournament results both in singles and in doubles with Rachel Purser. Hunter has improved tremendously and partnered with Katherine Meindl to reach the semifinals of the ITA B flight Doubles championship this past fall. 
 
Freshman, Isabella Graf looks to be a key contributor this year according to Barragan. “Isabella has been working very hard and I look forward to seeing what she can accomplish in her first season.”
 
The solid fall results led to the Monarchs earning the No. 10 spot in Atlantic South in the ITA's regional rankings. Methodist emerged as the top USA South team in the rankings ahead of Meredith (15) and Christopher Newport (17). However, both Barragan and her squad recognize that a No. 10 ranking in the region is not the ultimate goal for this team and that there is much work to be done.
 
The 2013 season, originally slated to begin last weekend, will now kick off on Saturday at 1:00 pm as the Monarchs host Guilford.