Expectations are perennially high for the MWC women's tennis program. Three National Champi­onships, seven NCAA semifinal or final appearances in 12 years and a 262-61 record since MWC's first NCAA Di­vision III Tour­nament trip in 1982.

Last season, the Eagles con­cluded an out­standing 13-1 regular season with an eight­ match winning streak, includ­ing victories over Division I Mt. St. Mary's and Georgetown (the streak would reach nine with a 6-3 NCAA quarterfinal tri­umph against Franklin & Marshall). But head coach Ed Hegmann takes special gratification in continuing his other winning tradition...success after graduation in fields such as medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, business, com­ puter science, chemistry, education and coaching. As the program continues to thrive in the '90s, so does the program's academic prowess. Two tennis players have received MWC's prestigious Scholar-Athlete of the Year award.

While enjoying a glorious past, MWC tennis aims for an even brighter future, which begins in Fall 1993. Four-year starter Laura Graham (Worcester, MA) is the lone 1993 graduate. ..she compiled a record of 21-12 at #2 singles and 19-7 at #2 doubles last season. Two other starters from the '91 NCAA title team -1992 co­ captains Leslie Roland (Sr./Massillon, OH) and Anna Jackson (Sr./Vero Beach, FL) - provide skill, savvy and experience in preparing for the 1994 national title chase. Roland, the 1991 Rolex Regional singles cham­pion, went 22-11 at #1 singles and 21-7 at #1 doubles with her partner Pia Holm Or./ Mclean,VA).That duo captured the Rolex regional title as well as the CAC championship, helping MWC to a third straight team title. Both players were also named ITA All-Americans in '93. Jackson won the 1992 Rolex singles title and a CAC champion­ship en route to a 23-9 season at#5, which concluded with a 13-match win streak, and teamed with Gra­ham at #2 doubles.

Holm went 21-10 and was the CAC champion at #4 singles. Like Jackson, gritty Trish Whitefield (Newark, OH) was a model of consis­tency. In her 19-2 season at #6 singles, Whitefield won her final 13 matches, and repeated as a CAC singles and doubles champion. Beth Todd (Cincinnati, OH) is a fifth returning starter and a CAC singles/doubles champion who compiled an 18-8 singles record at#3, while combining with Whitefield for a 14-4 record at #3 doubles.

As usual, these veteran Eagles "should not feel too comfortable about their previous lofty perches in the top six," according to Hegmann. "Historically, return­ing players and highly motivated freshmen offer seri­ ous challenges for all top-six positions. Hopefully, a solid combination of tournament-tough veterans and hungry newcomers will emerge and lead us to another National Championship opportunity."