The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/266935
70 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY RYAN TICE T he NC State women's tennis team opened the season 6-0 for its best start since 2006. The Wolfpack (6-1 as of Feb. 24) ascended to No. 46 in the Feb. 18 ITA rankings, and head coach Hans Olsen has been pleased with the early-season effort from his squad. "It has been great," he said. "The first six weeks have been about training and com- peting. We've been in the trenches work- ing on things we wanted to establish early on — mental toughness, fitness and doing what we call adversity training." The Wolfpack also got to experience a stiff challenge in its ACC opener against Syracuse, and the squad responded favor- ably. Olsen noted that he has been stressing the importance of communication to his team, and the mentor noted the way his team talked to and encouraged each other was the difference in the 4-3 victory for the Pack. Another major area of strength for the squad has been its doubles tandems. The team has a record of 15-4 in doubles play during spring duals, and the Wolfpack has clinched the doubles point in all but one match this year. The Pack also has a four-year stalwart leading the way at the top of the lineup in senior Joelle Kissell. The two-time All- ACC selection was just the second player in program history to be selected for the NCAA Singles Championships twice, and she has been ranked as high as No. 19 in the ITA singles poll. "She has always been a hard worker, but the last three weeks, she has taken her hard work up another notch," Olsen noted. "She's a gym rat, she's always on the tennis court and that has just been something that always works for her. She's doing great." In addition to providing a shining ex- ample for the other players, the Hostetter, Pa., native has emerged as a vocal presence for the squad. "She has really taken ownership of the team and been the voice on how to go from having average expectations to exceptional Hot Start The Wolfpack Posts Its Strongest Season-Opening Record Since 2006 ■ PREVIEW WOMEN'S TENNIS With 54 career singles victories as of Feb. 24, senior Joelle Kissell was on pace to easily eclipse the program's all-time mark of 59. PHOTO BY LARRY BLANKENSHIP Noting The Pack • The balanced roster features a pair of seniors, three juniors, two sophomores and two freshmen. • State's group includes some international flavor with two natives of England and one from Ecuador. The Americans on the squad hail from across the country — two call Florida home, while there is one athlete from each of Texas, Pennsylvania, Wash- ington and North Carolina. 70,72.Women's Tennis.indd 70 2/25/14 3:12 PM