Senior captains bring extra experience

It's no secret the success of the IU women's tennis team has been the result of grueling off-season training and the consistency and depth from new talent. But leading the charge for the squad this spring stems from the trio of seniors who lead the team into Big Ten action.\nAfter taking some bumps from a 9-16 season in 2002-03, the 2004 campaign is off to a blistering start, largely due to the dominating play of seniors, Linda Tran, Karie Schlukebir and Martina Grimm.\nGrimm, the Ellwangen, Germany native, netted a career high 23 singles victories last season on her way to lead the team in both overall victories and Big Ten wins. \n"Our team has been playing great tennis," Grimm said. "As long as we keep playing consistent tennis, and up to our potential, we will have a very good team this year."\nIU coach Lin Loring said Grimm's play against top opponents last season has, no doubt, contributed to her success, thus far.\n"Martina improved tremendously, even though it was a tough season," Loring said. "She is a hard worker, and goes 100 percent all the time. She will be so valuable to us as the Big Ten season continues."\nA second senior leading the way for the Hoosiers, is last year's No. 1 singles player, Tran. The 5-foot-3 senior from Grand Rapids, Mich. is expected to do double-duty for IU this season, playing both singles and doubles. In spring 2003, Tran won Big Ten Player of the Week after defeating top players from Cincinnati and Bowling Green.\n"During the fall season, everyone worked hard to keep getting better, and better," Tran said. "Now, it's paying off, because our depth is going to be a big help against the tougher teams. I got hurt a little bit this weekend, and had to sit. But we have great players coming back, and our freshmen and one transfer will make us especially tough."\nRounding out the trio of seniors, is Schlukebir, who makes up one-half of the No. 24 ranked doubles team with Tran. Schlukebir, who played as high as No. 3 singles last year, posted a 15-9 record, 3-5 in the Big Ten while missing part of the season battling cancer.\nTop singles Hoosier for the 2004 season, Vastag, said the seniors have been integral in leading the team into conference play.\n"Those girls know exactly what it takes to win, since they've been playing here for so long," Vastag said. "\nHowever, Loring said they are fortunate to have a group of tri-captains to lead the newcomers.\n"I couldn't have asked for a better group of seniors," he said. "These girls have been great about working hard and being team leaders. They are certainly a big reason why we had a good fall season, and are off in the right direction this spring."\nThe next test for seniors Tran, Schlukebir and Grimm comes this weekend, as they lead the Hoosiers against their toughest opponents to date. IU takes on No. 10, Tennessee, this Saturday at the IU Tennis Center.\n--Contact staff writer Jeff Fuldauer at jfuldaue@indiana.edu