In ’07-08, the Purple Raiders should be led by sophomore Kacey Huff (Louisville) and junior Leslie Douglass (Geneva).

Huff earned First-Team All-OAC honors in 2007. She accumulated a 14-6 record at #1 singles and a 12-9 doubles record, competing mainly at #1 doubles.

"Kacey (Huff) came from an outstanding high school program (Louisville)," said Raider Head Coach Jeff Wojtowicz. "She's a baseline player who is very good at exploiting weaknesses. She also is very level-headed and is able to keep her composure during matches."

Douglass earned Second-Team All-OAC recognition in 2007. She posted a team-best 16 singles wins (16-5 overall), mostly at #3 singles, and tied for a team-best 17 doubles wins (17-4 overall), mostly at #2 doubles.

"Leslie (Douglass) is one of our most experienced players," added Wojtowicz. "She is a very aggressive player who is coming off a solid 2006-07 season."

Other returning letter winners include senior Nicole Camardo (Canfield) and senior Marissa Hollinger (Canton/South).

Camardo finished the season with a 14-5 singles record, competing mainly at #5 singles. She also accumulated a 12-9 doubles record, with the bulk coming at #3 doubles.

"Nicole (Camardo) is one of the leaders of our team," said Wojtowicz. "She is one of our most intense players and is very consistent. Nicole has the ability to force opponents into mistakes."

Hollinger posted a 10 victory season, competing mainly at #4 singles and tied for team-best, with partner Douglass, with 17 doubles wins (17-4). She also earned Honorable-Mention Academic All-OAC At-Large honors in 2007.

"Marissa (Hollinger) was mostly a doubles player early in her career," noted Wojtowicz. "She played both singles and doubles this past season and played very well. She should have an outstanding senior year."

In 2008, the Raiders will spend one week competing in Hilton Head, SC during the College's spring break in early March.

"I firmly believe if you want to have an outstanding tennis program, you must take that trip during spring break and have your players work on their game and competing," emphasized Wojtowicz. "It is a great opportunity to get away, evaluate the talent you have and bond as a team. It also prepares us well for our upcoming spring conference schedule."

The Raiders will once again be competing for the Ohio Athletic Conference championship.

"We've been knocking on the door the past three seasons finishing third at the conference tournament each time," said the coach. "Hopefully we can turn it up a notch in '07-08 and win the OAC. That's our goal. We've been close in the past but hope to knock down that door in '08."

Overall, since the OAC has recognized women’s tennis as an intercollegiate sport in 1985, the Purple Raiders have accumulated 159 wins overall and 96 conference victories – including a school-best 17 victories during the 2004-2005 season.