Historically perhaps the top program among the twenty three at Mary Washington College, women's tennis continues to thrive as one of the best in the nation. The Eagles, who have appeared in thirteen NCAA Tournaments since the Championships began back in 1983, have won three national championships, sent countless players to All-American status and to individual national championships, and won an unprecedented eleven consecutive Capital Athletic Conference championships.

 

The 2000-2001 edition of MWC women's tennis continued that tradition, showing that they were capable of hanging tough against anyone in the nation. The Eagles won nine matches, led by ITA All-American Lea Schon, who graduated in May as one of the top players in school history. As the team's number one singles player, Schon became the first athlete in any sport in the history of the CAC to be named conference Player of the Year four times. Her achievements included advancement to the NCAA singles and doubles championships, advancing to the championship final of the ITA Small College national championships, and forming one half of one of the top doubles teams in the nation with classmate Ashley Knapp.

 

In all, four seniors, will need to be replaced if the Eagles are to remain the elite of the conference and contend for, national honors. The 2000-2001 season began with several fall individual flighted tournaments. The highlight of the fall was the play of Schon and , Knapp, who won the ITA South regional tournament and advanced to the national championships in October in Memphis, TN.

 

The spring season again began with the annual trip south to Hilton Head Island, SC, where the Eagles won two of three matches, downing Shippensburg University and Meredith College. After a narrow loss to Methodist College and a loss to Division One Howard University on the road, the Eagles went on to win five of their next six matches, including victories over Division One George Mason University and Radford University, as well as conference rival Salisbury University. 

 

The Eagles entered the conference tourriaments as slim favorites, and managed to win their eleventh consecutive league title, thanks to victories at the top four singles and top two doubles brackets. The Eagles opened play in the NCAA Tournament against the University of South, and upset the third-seeded Tigers, 5-4.