RECAP
UW-Whitewater freshman Kalla Schaefer lost to fourth seeded Julia Browne of Tufts University (MA) 6-3, 6-0 in the first round of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Women's Tennis Championship hosted by Oglethorpe University at the Colonial Hill Athletic Club in Lawrenceville, Georgia Friday.
Schaefer ends the season with a 32-7 record. She is the first tennis player, female or male, in school history to win thirty matches in a season. She won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference singles title, and teamed with Amy Siemon to win number one doubles. Schaefer helped UW-W go 23-4, win the WIAC team championship, and advance to the second round of the NCAA III team championship tournament last week.
Schaefer's berth in the NCAA tourney marked the eighth time that UW-Whitewater has been represented in the national tournament, most recently by Wendy Seymour in 1991.
Browne, a sophomore, is 16-6. She earned the 2009 Outstanding Player Award for the New England Small College Athletic Conference. Browne advances to Friday's second round to face Grace Baljon of NCAA III team champion Williams College (MA). The national tournament will conclude Sunday.
For additional information: Frank Barnes, UW-W coach
PREVIEW
UW-Whitewater freshman Kalla Schaefer earned a berth in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Championship Tournament hosted by Oglethorpe University in Lawrenceville, Georgia May 22-24. Schaefer will begin competition Friday, May 22 at 9:00 a.m. against Julia Browne, 15-6, of Tufts University. Click here for results continuously updated throughout the NCAA III Women's Tennis Championship Tournament
NCAA Division III Women's Singles Bracket (pdf)
audio interview with Schaefer (May 20)
"Having a player of Kalla's caliber has been invaluable for our team," UW-W tennis coordinator Frank Barnes said. "Her unique style of play and great mental game makes it difficult for every opponent she plays. Not only has she been an incredible player, but her maturity level as a person brings a lot to our team as well. She is just a terrific person to be around."
The NCAA III individual field includes a draw of thirty-two singles players and sixteen doubles teams. Schaefer is expected to begin play at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, but the opponent and complete draw will not be determined until the team championships are decided. Many of the players involved in the team championship also earned individual berths, and head-to-head play in the team championship could affect seeding in the individual tourney. Schaefer will begin play at 8:00 Friday, with the round of sixteen at eleven. The quarterfinals will begin at 8:00 Saturday morning, followed by the semifinals at 11:00. The championship match is set for 11:00 Sunday. (All times are Central.)
The individual championship immediately follows the Division III team championship. UW-W also earned a bid to the team championship, as the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion and automatic qualifier. The Warhawks had a first round bye and lost to Wheaton College in the second round.
Schaefer, 32-6, is the first tennis player, female or male, in UW-W history to win thirty matches in a season. She won the WIAC number one singles title and the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Midwest Regional last fall, advancing to the ITA small college championship where she placed seventh to earn All-America honors.
Schaefer's selection marks the eighth time, and the first since 1991, that UW-Whitewater has been represented in the national individual championship. Jeanne Fisch and Erin Thieleke were the first women to qualify for a national tournament, going 4-2 to finish sixth in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women Division III doubles championship in 1982. Connie O'Neill was selected for the NCAA III tourney in 1983, and Lisa Bartnicki represented UW-W in 1985. Bartnicki and Mary Sarbacker earned a doubles bid in 1988, and Mara Sullivan went in 1989. 1991 was the only time that Whitewater has had someone in both the singles and doubles, with Wendy Seymour in singles and teaming with partner Stephanie Froh in the doubles bracket.
For additional information: Frank Barnes