Cards Approach 2009-10 Season with Optimism Behind 7 Letterwinners & 5 Talented Newcomers

Led by three-year No. 1 player and team captain Casey Simchik '10 (photo), the Cardinals have good reason to think a winning record for the first time since 1998-99 might be in the offing in 2009-10 after going 12-15 in 2008-09.

With seven previous letterwinners back, six of whom have been consistent starters during their careers, Wesleyan will have a solid corps of veterans to get the ladder started. In addition to Simchik, returnees include No. 2 Gwynne Hunter '10, No. 6 Jenny Chu '11, No. 7 Caroline Fox '12 and No. 9 Ashley Garrett '12. Garrett had a team-leading 14-2 mark in 2008-09. Also back is Elizabeth Larner '10, who played six matches a year ago after starting throughout her first two seasons. Meherazade Sumariwalla '12 also got her feet wet in three matches a year ago.

The influx of five newcomers will bolster the troops significantly. First-years Tanesha Jackson '13, Danielle Craig '13 and Grace Zimmerman '13 should move right into startng spots with support from Kerry Klemmer '13. They will be joined by Anika Fischer '10 for her first go-round in squash. She has been the tennis team's No. 1 player the last two seasons.

The Cardinals inaugurate the season in the Boston area for three matches Sat. & Sun., Nov. 21-22 as the team faces Bates at Harvard while taking on Northeastern on its home court and Wellesley at MIT.

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