2008 Women's Tennis Outlook

Along with some key returnees, there are a handful of new faces on the 2008 Pacific Lutheran women’s tennis team. This mixture of newcomers and veterans will look to improve on their fourth-place finish at last year's Northwest Conference tournament.

New head coach Lorrie Wood is one of the new faces you’ll see on the Pacific Lutheran women’s tennis team. Wood played college tennis at Green River CC and University of Washington from 1978-82. Wood has coached at coached at tennis clubs around the Puget Sound, including in Seattle and Gig Harbor.

The ability of the new teammates to work together will be essential to the success of this year’s squad. “With our four returnees providing a very strong and stable base, along with some key freshmen newcomers, we have a good chance to place well in the 2008 Northwest Conference tournament,” said Wood.

The key returnees are Erika Feltus, Liz Currey, Ashley Coats, and Ashley Brooks.

Feltus, a senior, figures to be a top contender for the number one spot after amassing a 17-3 singles record last year. The Bremerton native has earned first team All-NWC honors both in 2006 and 2007.

Liz Currey shows to be strong as well, compiling a 9-1 record in last year while playing mainly in the No. 4 position. Ashley Coats posted a 12-9 singles record last season and will battle for a top three spot.

Freshman Emily Starr had a very successful high school career while playing at Snohomish HS. Starr compiled a 45-3 singles record in four years.

Rounding out the rest of the team are Ashley Brooks, Esther Ham, Deanna Ellmer, Morgan Jones, Makara Thach, and Kristina Bruner.

“Our toughest competition this season will be six-time defending conference champion Linfield and Whitman,” said Wood. “Yet each of our matches will require our best competitive performance, which we plan to deliver.”