As athletic director of a 21-sport program, one of the most successful in NCM Division III, Ed Hegmann has witnessed some great achievements at MWC. As women's tennis coach for the past 15 seasons, he's presided over the most remarkable in school history, three national titles, including the 1991 NCAA Championship. Unlike the 1988 squad which prevailed with experience and calm, the '91 contingent thrived on guts and emotion to scratch out three 5-4 wins at the national tournament.

Experience gained against top-flight com­ petition during a highly competitive schedule proved very beneficial! The '91 Eagles featured a blend of tournament-tough veterans and emotion­ally charged newcom­ers. The veterans were led by Christy Copper (Worcester, PA; the team's lone senior) and Laura Graham (Worcester, MA) at #1 and #2 singles, respec­tively. They formed a fine #1 doubles team that went 17-9, includ­ing a split of four matches at the NCAA Tournament. Another three-year, top-six performer, the fiery Susan Myers (McGaheysville, VA) fashioned a 23-9 record in singles, including straight ­set wins in the national semifinals and finals. She teamed with newcomer Jen Wheeler (Dover, DE) for a crucial straight-set win at #3 doubles in the finals. Wheeler also had a fine 15-7 record in singles.

Two other newcomers, Anna Jackson (Vero Beach, FL) and Leslie Roland (Massillon, OH) formed the #2 doubles team that won their final eight matches, including three thrillers at the NCAA Tournament. Jackson fin­ished with a 13-4 singles mark, despite missing more than a month with a stress fracture in her foot Roland estab­lished the team's best singles record with a 24-4 mark, including several gutty three-set victories.

Veterans Elena deBarbadillo (Barboursville, WV) and Deanna Moore (Ashburn,V A) were also key perform­ers, especially when Jackson and Copper (out for four weeks with an ankle injury) went down. Winning her final eight matches, deBarbadillo finished at 15-4 on the sea­son. In limited action, newcomer Maggie Crouse (Old Mystic, CT) showed much determination and promise for future seasons.

While the Eagles reg­istered a second NCAA title in four years, Hegmann be­lieves that a great challenge exists for returning players to stay motivated and fo­cused. This will require a continued strong work ethic, as they strive to re­ main part of a top Division III program As always, Hegmann believes the trademark of Eagle players continues to be "all-out determination, dedi­ cation and desire, with out­standing team and individual success the product of their efforts." Hegmann also be­ lieves that the key to his teams' national successes are in doubles play, because his players learn teamwork, strategy and togetherness.

Team excellence is well-documented. Since 1980, Hegmann's teams have compiled a record of 256-55 en route to 10 national appearances and three national crowns. Hegmann also takes a fierce pride in molding the total "student-athlete," and his players have responded in the classroom as well as the playing court. Pride in both academics and athletics is a must, according to the 16th­year mentor.