Feb. 15, 2008
PENSACOLA, Fla. Derrick Racine enters his 11th season as the West Florida head coach after another successful season. Under Racine's commands, the Argonauts have consistently reached the national championships. The outcome of the 2006-2007 season was gratifying, since the team reached higher goals than expected. Ranked fourth or fifth throughout the whole season, the Argonauts stepped up in the post-season play, winning the Gulf South Conference title, and reaching the finals of the National Championships, only falling to BYU-Hawaii and to finish the season ranked third in the nation.
With four regular starters returning for the 2007-2008 season, the Argonauts once again have set high expectations and goals as a team. From the 2006-2007 season, the Argonauts only graduated Mandy Septoe, and lost Tammy Kevey, who transferred to University of San Diego. To replace these two important players, the Argonauts count with the enthusiasm of two freshmen. Lorena Rebolledo and Taylor Brewster are expected to be great additions to the lineup, as they debut as Argonauts.
Paola Arevalo enters her senior year and brings high hopes to the Argonauts. Arevalo played in the fifth position in singles and second position in doubles last year. Arevalo enters the spring semester ranked 45th in singles and 5th in doubles with partner Suzana Cavalcante in the ITA/Wilson Division II Rankings.
Suzana Cavalcante, Renata Mattos, and Tatiana Rodrigues compose the class of juniors and will add experience to the lineup. Cavalcante played in the top singles position in her two previous years, and enters the spring semester ranked 3rd in singles and 5th in doubles with partner Arevalo in the ITA/Wilson Division II Rankings. Cavalcante has a very solid game from the baseline and is expected to lead the Argonauts during one more season. Renata Mattos enters her third season, second as an Argonaut, after transferring from Brenau University. Mattos was a great help to the lineup in singles and doubles last year. Mattos has a powerful game and is expected to play in the top three positions in singles this season. Mattos enters the spring semester ranked 43rd in singles in the ITA/Wilson Division II Rankings. Tatiana Rodrigues enters her third season as an Argonauts and will be expected to play in the top six positions. Rodrigues, a non-starter last year has evolved her game and brings high motivation to the courts with her great baseline game.
Top newcomers and freshmen, Lorena Rebolledo and Taylor Brewster, will compose the top six players. Rebolledo comes in after knee issues; however her consistent game from the baseline will overcome them. Rebolledo is a native of Puebla, Mexico, and brings experience from international tournaments into her college career. Taylor Brewster has a powerful game with a great serve and is expected to be a great help not only in singles, but also in doubles. Brewster is a native of Ontaro, Canada, and her powerful game should put her in the top three positions in the Argonauts lineup.
The Argos will open their season against top NAIA force Alabama-Montgomery tomorrow at Montgomery. Following the season opener the Argonauts will have ten more straight away matches. The Argonauts begin playing at home on March 9th against the University of Memphis. A free tennis clinic will be offered to those attending the event, and a free cookout will be offered during the singles matches.
2006-2007 Women's Tennis Season Review:
West Florida finished the 2006 season as the third ranked team in the nation in the NCAA Division II rankings. Having six out of seven players, including five regular starters from last season returning, the Argonauts were primed to achieve what no other squad has ever achieved in the school history. With only the addition of Renata Mattos, who had to red shirt in the 2006 season, the Argonauts felt that the NCAA Division II National championship was achievable.
West Florida entered the 2007 year as the third ranked team in NCAA Division II rankings. Playing the off season as individuals during the fall semester, the West Florida hosted the NCAA D-II Wilson/ITA South Region Championship and sent representatives to the ITA/Wilson National Championships when Tammy Kevey won the tournament in singles and doubles with partner Mandy Septoe to earn a spot at the national tournament held in Fort Meyers, Fla.
In Singles Kevey advanced to the finals and fell 6-4, 6-0 to Uillia Stupak from Armstrong Atlantic, earning second place in the national tournament. In doubles Kevey and Septoe advanced to the finals of the tournament and faced Clayton State's duo in the final and past over their opponents with a 6-4, 6-2 victory to win the ITA/Wilson National Tournament, something never achieved in the West Florida women's tennis history.
Starting the spring season and now ranked fifth in the nation, West Florida faced NAIA opponent Freed-Hardeman in the season opener and fell short 7-2. The Argonauts bounced back with victories over two top ten teams, South Carolina-Upstate, and Columbus State. West Florida than dropped matches to NAIA force top ranked Auburn Montgomery 1-8, fourth ranked Valdosta State 3-6, and second ranked Armstrong Atlantic 0-9.
The Argonauts responded with a ten match winning streak, including victories over GSC rivals Alabama-Huntsville, West Alabama, Montevallo, and North Alabama. The winning streak came to an end when the Argonauts faced NCAA Division II defending national champions BYU-Hawaii and fell short 1-8.
West Florida bounced back with another victory over a GSC opponent. The Argonauts dominated West Alabama 7-0 to finish the conference play with a 4-1 record. The Argonauts picked up a pair of 9-0 victories over Georgia College & State, and St. Edwards, however fell one game short against Lynn University 4-5 in the last match of the regular season.
At the Gulf South Conference tournament, the now fifth-ranked West Florida shutout GSC rivals Henderson Christian Brothers to set a rematch against Valdosta State in the tournament final. The Argonauts revenged the Blazers with a 5-3 win its second consecutive GSC tournament and the ninth title in the school history.
The top-ranked Argonauts cruised in the NCAA Division II South Region Championship with a pair of shutouts over Tuskegee University and Harding University. West Florida then advanced to the national championships in Orlando, Fla. In the first match West Florida only dropped a game in the 5-1 victory over Abilene Christian to advance to the quarterfinals against California University of Pennsylvania. The Argonauts had a 3-0 lead when the matches had to be postponed to the next day due to rain in the Orlando area. The next day the Argonauts dropped a single game before beating the Vulcans 5-1 to earn a spot in the semifinal for the fourth consecutive year.
For the second time in the season West Florida faced third Lynn University, however this time the Argonauts played the best of their games and revenged a 4-5 loss earlier in the season with a 5-1 win to move up to the final round against defending champion and first-ranked BYU-Hawaii. By advancing to the NCAA Division II national championship final, West Florida had the opportunity to play for a national championship for the first time in the school history. Unfortunately, West Florida fell short in route to its first team national title. The eight-match winning streak came to an end when the Seasiders shutout the Argonauts in the tournament final, ending a successful season for the Argonauts.
West Florida finished the season at the NCAA Division II Championships final with a 23-7 record and an 6-1 record against GSC opponents. For the fifth time in its history West Florida won more that 20 matches in the season. For the first time in the school history the women's tennis program brought a individuals national title with Tammy Kevey and Mandy Septoe triumph at the ITA/Wilson National Championship during the fall season. Despite falling short on reaching their first ever team national title; West Florida was once again prominent in receiving awards. The 2006 GSC Freshman of the Year, Sophomore Suzana Cavalcante became just the second player in GSC history to win back-to-back East Division Player of the Year accolades, following three-time winner and UWF alum Andreea Petrisor (1999-2001). Cavalcante also claimed back-to-back All-GSC East Division team nominations, repeating her achievement in the 2006 season. Cavalcante finished the season ranked fifth in singles and 15th in doubles with partner Paola Arevalo. Sophomore Tammy Kevey was also an Argonauts to collect many awards. After winning the doubles title and advancing to the singles final at the ITA National Small College Tennis Championships, Kevey was one of two award winners of the 2006 James O' Hara Sargent Sportsmanship Award, presented by Rolex Watch USA. The James O' Hara Sargent Sportsmanship awards are given annually to student-athletes who display outstanding sportsmanship while showcasing the spirit of collegiate tennis during the ITA National Small College Championships. The award is named in memory of Jim Sargent, the former media manager for Rolex Watch USA, who was involved in a fatal car accident in 2000. Kevey also received back-to-back All-GSC East Division team nominations repeating the 2006 accolade. Kevey was also awarded the ITA South Region Arthur Ashe Jr. Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship. She is the fifth Argonaut to earn the prestigious honor. The award is presented annually to a student-athlete in each of eight regions of Division II who uphold the qualities of sportsmanship set forth by Arthur Ashe. Kevey finished the 2007 season ranked 10th in singles with a team-high 21 victories. She also posted 23 doubles wins, 21 with partner Mandy Septoe, to finish the 2007 season ranked third in the nation. Senior Mandy Septoe was one more Argonaut to collect awards. Septoe was named the ITA South Region Senior Player of the Year. Septoe is the fourth Argonaut in the last six years to earn the award. Septoe also earned her second consecutive All-Gulf South Conference First Team honor. Septoe finished the 2007 season ranked 41st in singles and third in doubles with partner Kevey. The duo finished the season with a 21-5 record. Septoe ended her two-year West Florida career with a 27-15 singles record and a 44-10 mark in doubles. Playing her first season as an Argonaut, Renata Mattos was also named to the All-GSC East Division team. The Argonauts finished the 2007 season ranked third in the NCAA Division II rankings, and expects to return four players, including three out of six regular starters for the 2008 season.