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October 10, 2011 It’s been quite a turnaround for the Cyclones from last season, made more significant by a recent berth to the national championships in May. Moraine Valley placed second at the NJCAA Region IV tournament at Sauk Valley Community College, Oct. 6-8, qualifying them for the NJCAA Finals in Texas. The Cyclones stepped up to overcome stiff competition and secure the runner-up spot to College of DuPage. After the first day, the team was in fourth place and looked like they were fading, but battled through each match thanks to some key players. As she has done all year, Nicole Selvaggio (Marist) led the team by winning first singles champion and was additionally named Region IV Player of the Year. She had a big win against a player she had yet to beat in her tennis career to date. Kasha Harmata (Stagg) was third singles champion and second doubles champion with partner Shayna Binette (Andrew). “It was an exceptional weekend and the highlight of my tennis coaching career because we came back with three huge wins in a row. I’m really proud of them,” said coach Bill Finn. Moraine Valley finished in second place in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference with a 4-1 record and an overall 6-2 record. Selvaggio was the Skyway Player of the Year and Skyway Most Valuable Player. She also was doubles champion with Sophie Baxter (Stagg). Veronica Canseco (Argo) had another stellar year as sixth singles champion. “This was the best women’s tennis team we’ve had, and we have the best individual player we’ve ever had in Selvaggio. We were mature and experienced, which helped, especially in the regionals,” Finn said. “This is a great group. They were dedicated at every practice and really took to the coaching.” The team has all winter to prepare for the national tournament in May 2012.
September 21, 2011 In a blink of an eye the women’s tennis team ended their play in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference with much more success than last season. The Cyclones closed out their conference run on Sept. 20 with an 8-1 win over McHenry County College, giving them a 4-1 conference record—a second place finish. As has been the trend all season, Nicole Selvaggio (Marist), Kasha Harmata (Stagg), Sophie Baxter (Stagg), and Veronica Canseco (Argo) played well in their positions to help snag the win and will be looked at to aid the team in the Region IV tournament next month. The Cyclones bring a 6-2 overall record into the tourney. “I am very proud of this year’s tennis team. We were 0-8 last year and we have turned that into a very successful 6-2 season this year. These women are very dedicated to improving and they have worked extremely hard to get to where we are. We play in a very competitive conference with great coaching, so to do so well is a great tribute to this squad,” said coach Bill Finn. “I feel we are in position to fight for the top three spots at the Region IV Finals.” The Cyclones have one more regular season match against Robert Morris University before the regional tournament at Sauk Valley Community College. Only the top three finishers will qualify for the national tournament in May.
September 19, 2011
September 14, 2011 Moraine Valley narrowly lost Sept. 13 to opponent College of Lake County. The Cyclones did not play their best as a team, resulting in the 4-5 loss. Nicole Selvaggio (Marist) and Sophie Baxter (Stagg) were tremendous on the court and accounted for three of the team’s four points. Veronica Canseco (Argo) also won her position in sixth singles.
September 13, 2011 A four-game win streak ended for the Cyclones Sept. 12 as they suffered a 3-6 loss to College of DuPage. The bright spot of the day was a win by Veronica Canseco (Argo) at sixth singles. Moraine Valley has a tough schedule coming up this week against several Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference foes.
September 12, 2011 There aren’t too many matches left in the season, but the Cyclones are persistent in beating their opponents. The team’s latest win came Sept. 9 with a solid 9-0 victory over Oakton Community College. Nicole Selvaggio (Marist), Shayna Binette (Andrew) and Kasha Harmata (Stagg) won soundly while Selvaggio and Sophie Baxter (Stagg) cleaned up in the doubles match.
September 7, 2011 The Cyclones continued their dominant playing prowess Sept. 6 with their third consecutive victory this season, this time an 8-1 win over Elgin Community College. Top player Nicole Selvaggio (Marist) continues to play well while the number four, five and six players—Sophie Baxter (Stagg), Nicole Baffin (Reavis) and Veronica Canseco (Argo)—stepped up their games for solid wins. Shayna Binette (Andrew) and Kasha Harmata (Stagg) were especially strong in doubles.
September 6, 2011 The Cyclones were overwhelmingly victorious in their 9-0 win over Sauk Valley Community College on Sept. 2. Key matches were won by Shayna Binette (Andrew) and Kasha Harmata (Stagg) both coming back from losing their first sets and winning their matches. The other positions were won handily by Moraine Valley. “It felt nice to finally relax for the most part after we were half way through the singles, knowing we had a victory in hand,” said coach Bill Finn.
August 30, 2011 After a winless season in 2010, the Cyclones started anew this year with an 8-1 win over Illinois Valley Community College on Aug. 29. Nicole Selvaggio (Marist) set the tone and dominated her play at first singles. In doubles she teamed with Sophie Baxter (Stagg) and they meshed well for the win. Key singles victories were secured by sophomore Nicole Baffin (Reavis), who came from behind, Katarzyna Harmata (Stagg), Veronica Canseco (Argo), and Baxter. “It was a good change and was a nice way for the team to start the season,” said coach Bill Finn.
August 26, 2011 The Cyclones’ top recruit, Nicole Selvaggio, hails from Marist and was ranked among the top 30 female tennis players in the state. She will be the number one singles player. Transfer student Shayna Binette (Andrew) is slated for the number two player position and looked strong in the pre-season. A former Cyclone from three years ago, Katarzyna Harmata (Stagg), returns for another shot at helping the team at the number three spot. She knows how to play at the college level and brings experience. Newcomer Sophie Baxter (Stagg) will round out the top four. A former softball player, Baxter will bring a more mature and focused mindset to the court with her hard-hitting skills and smarts. That maturity will mix with second-year player Veronica Canseco (Argo), who played well all year at sixth singles in 2010. Rounding out the team are returners Nicole Baffin (Reavis) and Jessica Schiesl (Oak Lawn), both of whom know the challenge of playing at the college level, and freshmen Melina Dominquez (Argo), Merrysa Hill (Rich South), and Gabbie Macias (Argo). “I’m cautiously optimistic, but we will play better than last year,” said head coach Bill Finn. “Nicole will play well, and the other players are already learning from her in practice. There’s a lot of skill and potential on this team. With a couple older players we have some maturity, and I know overall we have some quality players here.”
August 3, 2011 |
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