GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The women's tennis team head's into the 2014 spring season with high hopes and they will get a good look at a very quality opponent on Sunday when they face Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. Head coach Patrick Grashorn and his 24^th ranked Lady Panthers, enter the spring looking for their third straight WHAC title and have their eyes set on another appearance at the NAIA National Tournament.

Grashorn took some time to preview the match with Western Michigan University, one that he predicts will be their toughest competition of the season. DU will play the Broncos this weekend followed  by matches with Hope College and Rochester College before heading south for spring break.

A three month layoff, what were some of the items you worked on with the team preparing for the start of spring?
With the women, a lot of the focus was on better movement and decision making. We've spent a good amount of time on both singles and doubles movement and positioning during point play.  

How can Emily Spiech and Alyssa Fuentes continue to build on their success from the fall?
Emily and Alyssa had a great ITA tournament but if you were to ask them about the fall, they would tell you there's a lot of room for improvement. Alyssa is back to 100% health-wise now but the lack of recent competition has me concerned.  

A match against an NCAA D1 program has to be exciting, what are your expectations going in?
We play a decent D1 team down in Orlando each year but Western will be a different animal. They will be the strongest team we face this year. The important thing for the girls to remember is that this is an opportunity to tune up before a tough spring break schedule. I expect us to push ourselves and to push our opponents. 
 
Tennis Contact: Aaron Sagraves | 616-554-5045 | asagraves@davenport.edu
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