The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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86 ■ THE WOLFPACKER said flippantly but with optimism, and that optimism became reality," Earnshaw noted. "I think that's important for them to see that it's not just all talk. "We talk about this every day: it's not about what you say but what you do." This fall, Earnshaw dialed back on the fall slate, scheduling five tournaments ver- sus seven the year before. "I don't think it was necessary," he ex- plained. "When we had five new players last fall we needed to get out there and gain as much as we could. This fall we actually had almost as many wins in singles but with far less matches. Our winning per- centage went up about 20 percent. "I feel like we played better events also, and hopefully that's a good sign that we have a better level of comfort of what we're trying to do." Frantova, now a senior, continues to an- chor the lineup, and Earnshaw has hopes that she can become the program's first All-American. Her success directly correlated with the team's last season in duals action. When she won her match at No. 1 singles, NC State went 12-2. When Frantova lost, the Pack went 1-9. "I think there was a sense last year she had to win for us to have a chance to win," Earnshaw said. "I don't think that's going to be the case as much moving forward, but I think Martina has improved." Frantova also teamed with junior Tay- lor Stenta to form a nationally ranked doubles tandem that defeated the high- est rated duo opponent in school history when they knocked off the No. 1 doubles tandem from Arizona State during the NCAA Tournament, a unit that had won the Pac-12 championship. Stenta also can contribute in singles, where Earnshaw has accumulated some depth in the lineup. Sophomore Amanda Rebol led the team with 15 singles victo- ries last year, mostly at No. 5 singles. Her ■ By The Numbers 60 Singles wins in ACC dual play last spring from NC State, compared to 19 the year before. 128 Overall singles victories in duals, an im- provement of 89 over the previous season. Newcomer To Watch Freshman Anna Rogers TennisRecruiting.net rated the Stamford, Conn., native the No. 21 player in the 2016 class and the highest ranked prospect from the New England area. Wolfpack head coach Simon Earnshaw noted that Rogers could have been the top doubles re - cruit in that class. This fall, she went 7-4 in singles action and collectively on doubles went 10-3. Supplier of high quality warm season turf for golf courses, athletic fields and residential lawns since 1985. Varieties include: • Bermudas • Centipede • St Augustine • Zoysias 1-866-259-3064 www.qualityturfNC.com Burgaw, NC "Let us help you create your lawn, fairway or field of dreams!" A Charter Partner of the Lonnie Poole Golf Course and a major sod supplier during construction. Quality Turf, Inc. Alfred Wooten, Turfgrass Management Class of '77 in a field of Empire Zoysia ready for harvest. Go Pack!