UNCP tennis on the cusp of stardom

By Nathan Walls
Sports Editor

Internal frustration and a sense of underachievement was the straw that broke the camel’s back for the UNCP tennis team in 2004.

“The core of the team just got tired of mediocrity,” head coach Robin Langley said. “I told them you have to work on your weaknesses and they’ve taken the initiative more than any team I’ve had before. It’s made a world of difference.”

The difference paid big dividends as the netters tied the mark for the most wins in school history with 14, five more wins than 2003.

In addition, the doubles tandems of junior Abi French and freshman Natalie Dies and junior Shannon Gentry and sophomore Lauren Losoncy won 16 matches apiece, another school record.

French and Gentry, co-captains as seniors this season, are poised to show their younger cohorts the value of leadership again this time around.

“They’re the best leaders I’ve ever had on a team,” Langley said.

Freshman Jessica Figgins, sophomore Stacey Wood and junior Erin Saltzman round out the rest of the netters.

UNCP travels to St. Andrews Feb. 8 at 2:30 p.m. for its opener.