Unity, Talent Secrets to Tennis' Success

Discovering the key to the No. 9 North Carolina women's tennis team's success seemed an easy task. Great tennis players make a great tennis team.

Tennis is not exactly a team game. Sure, there's doubles. But tennis is not a sport in which team unity seems important.

"We're definitely a team this year," said No. 3 singles player Julie Rotondi, "not just a collection of individuals. And that's why we're doing so well."

Oops. Well, maybe if people on the same team are fighting, then that negativity could hurt the performance of the team.

"If there's a lot of inner turmoil between the players," said No. 1 singles player Marlene Mejia, "that just wouldn't be good."

Right. But a tennis team doesn't have to have camaraderie to excel, does it?

"We definitely are the best of friends," said No. 2 singles player Kate Pinchbeck. "And that has really helped us succeed."

Okay. Team unity, though, is either present or not. It can't be coached.

"I've focused on team-building," said UNC coach Jen Callen. "We did a ropes course in the fall."

Said Pinchbeck, "(Callen) pushes the idea of cohesiveness."

While the logic might escape the casual observer, everyone on the Tar Heels (13-3, 2-0 in the ACC) is in agreement: the tightness of the team distinguishes it from other squads.

"This team cares about how the other players are doing," Pinchbeck said. "Other teams, they couldn't care less."

While tennis seems like a sport where team divisiveness wouldn't matter, Callen believes the opposite.

"Especially in an individual sport, the emphasis on team is more important," she said. "When everyone gets along, works hard and feels a part of the team, then they'll have more fun and, therefore, play better and enjoy their experience more."

But aside from the team unity and positive feelings, the team also has an abundance of talent. Mejia and Pinchbeck are ranked No. 25 and No. 29 in the country, respectively.

The depth of the team, though, is what has helped it the most.

"We have nine players who I'm confident in their ability," Callen said. "Any day, No. 7, No. 8 and No. 9 can step in and do very well."

In UNC's win against then-No. 9 Arizona State on March 13, freshman Aniela Mojzis scored the deciding point in the 4-3 victory. That her straight-set defeat (6-3, 6-0) of Megan Yeats was at No. 5 singles shows the Tar Heels' extreme depth.

"(Mojzis) was No. 1 in the the world in juniors," Callen said. "It's amazing that she and Lee Bairos, who are top players, are not playing in our top three."

Of course, some of the credit for the team's success must go to Callen, who is in her first season at UNC after coaching Dartmouth the past two years.

Her assistant, Rebecca Dirksen, who played for Callen at Dartmouth, explained her appeal.

Said Dirksen: "She knows about tennis, she'll fight for you, she has perspective on life in general, and she allows you to live your life as well. It's refreshing to have that."

Refreshed -- a nice way to describe the persona this team has adopted, a persona crucial to its success.

 

The Sports Editor can be reached at sports@unc.edu.