Women's Tennis Wraps Up Sensational Season
Jun 29, 2004 | Women's Tennis
June 29, 2004
NEW ORLEANS, La. - - The Tulane women's tennis team thought it had reached a new and exciting pinnacle during the 2003 season. After all, the Green Wave posted an impressive 20-5 record and reached the NCAA Tournament, where the Wave were the only team to claim the doubles point from eventual national champion Florida. In addition, Jenny Kuhn and Julie Smekodub became the first Tulane players in school history to earn All-America honors. The Wave also finished the season with a then-program high No. 28 national ranking from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
However, with each of the Wave's top six players returning for the 2004 campaign, as well as the addition of two talented recruits, things were definitely looking up for the Green Wave at the start of the 2004 season. And Tulane did not disappoint.
The Wave opened the 2004 season with a solid nine-match winning streak that saw the squad post wins over four ranked teams and a pair of in-state foes. The Wave's first loss was a tough one, coming in a 4-3 nailbiter at the hands of No. 14 Fresno State. From there, however, the Wave reeled off an incredible 18 straight victories to end the season. Included in those victories were road wins over No. 13 Texas, No. 20 LSU, No. 36 Arizona and No. 39 South Alabama.
With the top overall seed, the Green Wave set out to defend their 2003 Conference USA title. The Wave swept through the first round, having little trouble in a 5-0 win over Charlotte. In the semifinals, Tulane posted a 4-1 win over Houston to set up a finals rematch with No. 25, and second-seeded TCU. In the championship match, Tulane lost the doubles point for just the second time this season, but rallied with four straight singles victories to claim it second straight Conference USA title and third in the last four years.
Tulane entered the NCAA Tournament as one of just 16 teams to have earned a nation seed, checking in with the 16th overall seed. The Wave traveled to Norman, Okla., for the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament and opened play with a convincing 4-0 win over Richmond in the first round. From there, Tulane added a 4-2 win over host and 20th-ranked Oklahoma in the second round to advance to the Round of 16 for the first time in school history.
The Green Wave finished the campaign with a loss to Miami in the Sweet 16, but finished with an impressive 27-2 overall record. The 27 wins were second-most in the nation, as only national champion Stanford (29-0) had more wins the Wave. It also marked back-to-back 20-win seasons for coach Schumacher's squad. Tulane had an impressive 17-2 record against ranked teams and finished as the 11th-ranked team in the final Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll.
Individually, eight different Green Wave players were ranked at some point during the season, including seven in the final rankings (six in singles and another in doubles). Six Tulane players were named to the All-Conference USA team, led by sophomore Jenny Kuhn who was selected as the league's Player of the Year for the second straight season. Maria Ivanov was also a first-team All-Conference USA choice, while Darya Ivanov, Julie Smekodub and Dorottya Magas were all second-team All C-USA selections. Junior Nancy Kockott added another list to her impressive resume, as she was a third-team all-conference pick. David Schumacher won his second consecutive season C-USA Coach of the Year award and third in the last four years.
All in all, it was another banner season for the Tulane women's tennis team. And with each of the top eight players scheduled to return, the 2005 season could be even better.
