BLOG 1: Women’s tennis team begins the season with win

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris' sophomore Amy Ingle helped the Bulldogs to a season-opening win over Saginaw Valley State (Photo/FSU Photographic Services)

BIG RAPIDS – Second-year women’s tennis head coach Alex Palladino is hard at work in his mission to rebuild the women’s tennis program – one rich with a long tradition of success – at Ferris State University.

Last weekend, the Bulldogs opened their 2008-09 season with a 6-3 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory over visiting Saginaw Valley State (Sept. 6) at the Racquet and Fitness Center. With a relatively young squad, Palladino knows any and all wins will be critical this fall as Ferris seeks to return to the upper echelon of the GLIAC. He is hopeful that last season, his rookie campaign, will be the springboard into bigger and better things.

“We had a positive ending to last season and that really left us feeling a lot of excitement coming into this season,” Palladino said. “We’ve added two freshmen recruits who came in and did a nice job for us in their first match playing No. 2 (Melissa Flowers) and No. 4 (Natalie Diorio) singles. I think their additions, to join what we already had coming back, has helped strengthen or lineup … both in singles and in doubles (the freshmen duo lost in its doubles match, but Palladino was pleased with the way the two bounced back in singles action).”

Palladino additionally saluted the victorious performance of his senior No. 3 tandem of Ann Grant and Jennifer Prisner, who were 9-8 winners against the Cardinals.

Things are just getting started for Ferris this season.

Many tough matches are ahead as the Bulldogs battle the likes of Northwood, Grand Valley State and other conference competitors.

After opening this season, and league competition, with a win; the Bulldogs now shift gears to prepare for more of an individualized form of college tennis as players head to the Gerstacker Tennis Center or Midland Community Tennis Center (depending on the weather), in nearby Midland, to participate in the fall’s ITA Midwest Regional Championships (Sept. 19-21).

After returning from the regional ITA tournament, the Bulldogs are on the road for GLIAC matches at Lake Superior State (Sept. 26) and Michigan Tech (Sept. 27).

The next home contest is Sept. 30 when long-time rival Northwood rolls into town for a 3 p.m. contest at the Racquet and Fitness Center.

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com