Tennis   Schedule/Results   Coaches   Roster   Request Form   Archive   Athlete's Chat
Women's Tennis

May 10, 2013
Cyclones take hits and earn wins at nationals

It was a long winter—and spring—since the Cyclones competed in any matches. After claiming the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference and NJCAA Region IV titles in the fall, the team finally trekked to the national tournament May 4-9 in Tucson, Arizona, where they placed 23rd.

Competition is always fierce at nationals. Several colleges play outdoors year-round due to favorable weather and others have top international recruits. The Cyclones were overwhelmed the first day of competition, but fought back the rest of the week. Kayla Annerino, Nicole Selvaggio and Sophie Baxter had winning consolation matches. Alexa Armon and Ann Pendergast went to a third set tiebreaker at third doubles and also played exceptional.

“We were undefeated in the regular season, but Tyler Community College is in our region and eventually won the national title, so it was tough,” said head coach Bill Finn. “The team played exceptionally competitive in Arizona. They all gave a great effort the first day, but getting used to the heat and the competition was a challenge. By the second and third day we had some better matchups and played strong.”

While there, Finn was awarded the 2013 Wilson/Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Coach of the Year in Women’s ITA Region III. The ITA governs all college tennis from NCAA Division I to NJCAA.

“I was surprised to win this award. This is a great way to end my tennis coaching career. There are four regions in the USA. I won for Region III, which includes NJCAA tennis powerhouse teams from Texas and Kansas plus eight other states,” Finn said. “This is a very prestigious and high honor for Moraine Valley and me.”

April 18, 2013
Selvaggio and Finn showcased on SportsTownChicago.com

Following an undefeated fall season that included a conference and region championship and berth to the NJCAA Tournament, the women’s tennis team got some attention. Region and Conference Player of the Year Nicole Selvaggio and Region and Conference Coach of the Year Bill Finn were highlighted in the SportsTownChicago.com Coach’s Corner.

The online show covers the best coaches, players and directors in the greater Chicagoland area. Check out their interview here: http://youtu.be/abZDHXjQ9Ok.

October 8, 2012
Cyclones crowned region champs, headed to nationals

Not only are the Cyclones conference champs, but NJCAA Region IV champs as well. Maintaining a season-long undefeated streak, Moraine Valley took first place in the regional tournament Oct. 4-6 and qualified the team for the NJCAA Tournament in May.

Starting off the competition, Moraine Valley struggled in early matches. Thanks to the strength of Nicole Selvaggio, Kayla Annerino, Sophie Baxter, and Raquel Bowen-Grant, the team prevailed. With three matches left on Oct. 6, three teams, including the Cyclones, were tied for first. Some big Cyclones wins contributed to the overall victory.

Selvaggio defended her first singles championship in what is the first singles repeat in Region IV history, said coach Bill Finn. Other singles champs included Bowen-Grant at fifth singles, who had an undefeated season, and Annerino at sixth. Selvaggio and Shayna Binette also took first in first doubles while Annerino and partner Alexandra Armon took the third doubles championship. Finn was named Region Coach of the Year.

“The girls stepped up and played to expectations. We’re excited about nationals,” Finn said. “It’s hard to get all the pieces in place, but it’s nice when it all comes together.”

In Finn’s tenure, this is the first time the women’s tennis team has had an undefeated season and been region champions. Last year the squad finished second in regionals to qualify for nationals. This is the fifth time they’ve qualified for the NJCAA tournament as a team.

September 28, 2012
Cyclones finish unscathed in regular season

The Cyclones finished their regular season Sept. 27 with an eighth consecutive win and perfect record. The 5-4 victory over Illinois Valley Community College set the Cyclones up for the NJCAA Region IV Tournament next weekend.

This win came down to the first doubles triumph in a close match— 7-6, 7-6. Shayna Binette had a slow start in her first game back after two weeks out with an injury, but she and Nicole Selvaggio did the work for the win.

Also playing strong were Kayla Annerino at sixth singles/third doubles with partner Alexa Armon and Raquel Bowen-Grant at fifth singles.

Moraine Valley has a scrimmage match with North Central on Monday to get some practice in before regionals.

September 25, 2012
Cyclones trump Sauk Valley

Although it became too dark before the number two doubles match could play, the Cyclones had already showed dominance in an 8-0 win over Sauk Valley Community College on Sept. 24.

Ann Pendergast won at third singles and played well as did Paige Seldal at second singles.

September 24, 2012
Cyclones reign as Skyway champs

All they needed was one more win to clinch the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference championship. And win they did on Sept. 21 in an 8-1 victory over McHenry County College.

The champs are undefeated in both conference and in their overall season. Paige Seldal played solid matches in both second singles and doubles (with partner Sophie Baxter) where she had to fight for the wins. Several players received All-Conference honors including Nicole Selvaggio and Shayna Binette for first doubles, Kayla Annerino and Raquel Bowen-Grant for third doubles, Selvaggio for first singles, Bowen-Grant for fifth singles, and Annerino for sixth singles.

“We’re doing what we can do. We have some competition in the region tournament, and then hopefully we’ll qualify for nationals,” said coach Bill Finn.

September 19, 2012
Cyclones edge out Chiefs

There were some tense moments Sept. 18 when Moraine Valley faced Waubonsee Community College, but the Cyclones eked out the 5-4 victory.

In a tough match, Kayla Annerino prevailed at number six singles and number three doubles with partner Raquel Bowen-Grant who also earned a win at five singles.

With a fifth straight win under their belts, the Cyclones are in position to potentially clinch the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference championship. If the Cyclones beat McHenry County College on Friday, they will be crowned the champs.

September 11, 2012
Cyclones shut down Oakton

In their third straight win, the Cyclones quickly defeated Oakton Community College 9-0 on Sept. 10.

The players were strong on the court, and newly paired third doubles Raquel Bowen-Grant (Stagg) and Alexandra Armon (Andrew) played well, easily and quickly winning their match.

September 7, 2012
’Clones edge out Spartans

The Cyclones continue to slam the competition, the latest in a 7-2 win over Elgin Community College on Sept. 6.

Raquel Bowne-Grant (Stagg) had a great win at fifth singles while Sophie Baxter (Stagg) had a nice come from behind win at fourth singles. Kayla Annerino (Oak Lawn) continues to play excellent tennis at sixth singles and third doubles.

“It was a very nice team win with many very close matches. The final score does not indicate how close this match was,” said coach Bill Finn.

September 1, 2012
Cyclones stun Chaparrals

There weren’t many holes in the Cyclones’ opening season match on Aug. 31, as they stunned College of DuPage in a 9-0 win.

Paige Seldal (Queen of Peace) and Shayna Binette (Andrew) played especially well as did Nicole Selvaggio (Marist) and Sophie Baxter (Stagg).

August 24, 2012
Cyclones looking to repeat in 2012

It looks like another successful season is in store for the 2012 Cyclones women’s tennis team, especially with the top three players—including region and conference player of the year Nicole Selvaggio (Marist)—returning to hit the courts.

Last season, the Cyclones finished second in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference and at the NJCAA Region IV tournament which qualified the team for the NJCAA Finals. With that national competition under their belts, returners Selvaggio, All-Conference player Sophie Baxter (Stagg) and All-Region player Shayna Binette (Andrew), have the experience to lead this year’s squad to a similar fate.

One newcomer who nearly matches the talent of Selvaggio is Queen of Peace grad Paige Seldal, a player to watch this season. Raquel Bowen-Grant (Stagg) will be in the lineup along with transfer Kayla Annerino (Oak Lawn/Illinois State). Walk-on players and Andrew alum Alexandra Armon and Ann Pendergast also will be vying for some time on the court.

“We’re going to be very good based on the three we have back this year. I think we have pretty good odds of going to nationals again, either individually or as a team. We’ll probably have similar results in conference as last year, but you never know,” said coach Bill Finn. “We also have new tennis courts this year, which makes a difference in practice and matches.”