Today, the Wisconsin Badger women's tennis team will host the United States Tennis Association/Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Indoor Team Championships at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium. Six of the top seven ranked teams in the nation are playing in the tournament, including Stanford University, the top-ranked women's team in the nation and last year's NCAA National Champion.
\It's a premiere event that's second to the NCAA tournament,"" UW Head Coach Patti Henderson said. ""It brings an element of prestige to the university. It shows throughout the country that the University of Wisconsin is committed to all of its sports programs.""
Playing as underdogs, the Badgers start off against the Stanford Cardinal in their first game of the tournament. Coming off of a 3-0 start to the season, the team is optimistic going into this game.
""We have nothing to lose,"" junior Shana McElroy said. ""I think they're going to be surprised. We've gotten so much better from last year, and we're really a team to be reckoned with.""
""We played them last in 1997 at their place in the NCAA tournament and we had a great match,"" Henderson said. ""It's a win-win situation for us. If we win, it'll be an historical upset. If we don't, we'll learn about where we want to be.""
As keys for the game against Stanford, Henderson thinks it will take a strong mental approach.
""For us to be competitive, we're going to have to reduce unforced errors,"" Henderson said. ""We're going to have to play our games well. We'll have to tactically be intelligent on the court and emotionally be composed.""
""They're consistent, and they're really focused,"" said McElroy about Stanford. ""I think we have to have that same focus and be willing to stay out there and fight all day long for every point in every game.""
Going into the match with Stanford, the Badgers will not be relying as much on any one star. The women play as a team.
""I don't necessarily feel like there is any one person that is the go-to person,"" Henderson said. ""I feel like right now, everyone on the team is contributing. It's truly a team effort.\
