After losing several players last year, the Virginia women's tennis team was in need of some fresh talent.Fortunately, two highly recruited freshmen, Jennifer Stevens and Brintney Larson, have stepped up to fill the voids. Stevens and Larson, both currently playing at the number one and two spots on the team, were nationally ranked among the top 10 as junior tennis players. Several powerhouse tennis schools, including Florida, Duke, North Carolina and Georgia Tech, recruited the girls; however, they felt Virginia was the clear choice based on the school's academic reputation and the people they had met.
"I committed before I had even seen the campus because I couldn't ask for anything more" Larson said."Also because of [Virginia coach] Mark [Guilbeau], he was coach of the year of that year, and I heard great things about him."
Making the transition from junior tennis to collegiate level has not been simple. Stevens commented on the first semester being a little rough, and Larson said she felt college level play was different than she expected. But as the season has progressed, they said they are beginning to adjust to the challenge. They enjoy having a team atmosphere and support system.
With only one senior on the team, the two have not enjoyed the depth of leadership that other teams might have offered them, yet neither felt that this was a great detriment to the team. The younger players are positioned at the top spots and are capable of leading the team. Having a young team also brings promise for the next couple of years as the Cavaliers will have time to develop together.
"Because the team is so young we've gone through a lot of adversity that actually in the long run is just going to make us stronger," Larson said. "I think we've come together really well, and in the next [few] years I'm really excited for the team."
In addition to having few senior members, Stevens and Larson have had to adjust to playing the best players in college tennis immediately at the start of their careers at Virginia.Although they agree that the pressure is lessened by the fact that they are usually the underdogs, they both push themselves hard to get wins for the team. Larson did not expect to be playing at such a high position on the team when she committed. She suffered several losses at the start of the season, but she has proven to be up to the challenge by beating a nationally ranked player in February.
Since ACC play began, both players have contributed important wins to the team as well. Stevens recently won a crucial three-set match Friday against freshman Daria Petrovic of N.C. State, pushing the Cavaliers to a 4-3 win over the Wolfpack.
"I am so proud of our team for pulling through and winning" Larson said. "I think if we keep improving and playing, it will all come together eventually."
After losing to No. 14 Wake Forest 6-1 Sunday, Stevens and Larson recognize that they must improve in order to continue to succeed in the ACC, where more than half of the teams are ranked in the top 25 nationally.
"If we could just get the doubles point, it's pretty big" Stevens said."We keep losing it and it's one of the main motivating factors in the singles."
Stevens and Larson must prepare for the week ahead, as they and the rest of the Cavaliers will be on the road facing No. 15 Florida State Friday and No. 9 Miami Sunday.
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