When Loyola opened its doors to new students of the 2009-2010 academic year, it also welcomed new changes around campus.
One of the most notable changes to Loyola was the edition of a women’s tennis team to its sports lineup. Starting this year, Loyola will begin competing against neighboring tennis teams in the Gulf Coast Atlantic Conference.
The newest editions to the team are psychology sophomore Frances Sweeney, psychology sophomore Rachel Crump, finance sophomore Katie Beargie, psychology freshman Frances Bonnin, general studies freshman Hannah Neal and Claire Landry, psychology junior.
Landry, who recently transferred from Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, brings two years of NCAA Division 1 tennis experience to the team.
While attending Lafayette High School, Landry competed in state and national doubles tournaments with her doubles partner and sister Anna Landry.
Landry hopes her switch to Loyola University will prove a positive influence on the team and will improve her skills as well as open up new academic possibilities.
“I was drawn in by New Orleans and the unlimited possibilities here. Loyola has great academics. Also, Engineer is very qualified. I have not met a coach who was more qualified than him,” she said.
Like Landry, Zubin Engineer , head tennis coach, first heard about the tennis team through Loyola’s Web site. He said he automatically showed interest in bringing back the program.
The team hopes that Engineer’s international experience and knowledge of the game will prove beneficial to the team.
“I’ve never met a coach who is better at understanding the mental aspect than Coach Zubin. That’s 90 percent of the game. You can know how to hit all the good shots, but if you’re not mentally strong you can get nervous,” Landry said.
Engineer hopes his focus on the mental aspect of the game will improve the skills that the team has already showed.
“I would like for them to have an understanding of what it is to have inner and outer advantage while on the court. The inner being why they get angry, why they get frustrated and what is causing their different emotions; the outer meaning to be aware of what is going on, on the court and what you can do,” Engineer said.
“I would also like to make it an enjoyable experience. I want them to work hard on the court and to fulfill what they believe they can achieve,” Engineer said.
While the team is still growing, Engineer hopes to bring more international players to Loyola like Sweeney.
Sweeney, who is a past winner of the Association of American Schools in Mexico Tennis Competition, looks forward to the experience of playing on a collegiate team.
“I’ve never played at a college level before and it seems so intense and different from what I’m used to. So I’m really excited about getting that experience,” she said.
“And our coach seems very into the mental aspect of the game and not just the physical. I have always focused on the physical part so I’m looking forward to that as well,” Sweeney said.
The women’s tennis team began practicing Oct.1. All practice sessions are held at the Audubon Tennis Courts at the University Tennis Center of New Orleans. The team will begin competing in Spring 2010.
Carlyn Worthy can be reached at [email protected]
