Spring is generally the slow season for women's collegiate tennis, as most New England schols play in the fall.

But the University of Southern Maine team recently traveled to Hilton Head, S.C., for "fun" matches and off-season preparation. The effort, funded by the players, appears to be another example that the Huskies are serious about developing their program.

"We were able to play five matches," said Coach Wayne St. Peter. "It was tough to get started after two days of straight driving, but I think we played well overall.

"When we returned, the players appeared ready to work on their games and return in the fall for a good season."

The Huskies were 2-3. They beat Savannah College of Art and Spring Arbor (Michigan), while losing to Huntingdon College (Alabama), Franklin College (Indiana) and Spring Arbor (a rematch).

The matches were set up by pros in Hilton Head who work to coordinate the spring arrivals of nearly 200 collegiate teams.

The Huskies finished a 1997-98 season that demonstrates a growing ability to compete. They were 5-5 last fall and finished second in the Little East championship.

The squad is filled with underclassmen, which suggests continued improvement. But three players already have proven themselves in league play.

Playing No. 1 is sophomore Suzanne deGolian of Gorham, who won the Little East's individual championship at the No. 1 singles position.

Winning the individual title at No. 3 was freshman Erin O'Brien of Gorham. Freshman Sara Goodine of South Portland and O'Brien won the No. 2 doubles championship.

Other players from Maine included Jessica Foreman of Ellsworth, Emily McArdle of Gorham and Kim Vincent of Auburn.

The team is in its third season under St. Peter, who until this spring was also coach of the Portland High boys team.

St. Peter's energy, combined with the Huskies' growing athletic program, has made USM the most ambitious of the state's public colleges. The University of Maine at Orono has dropped both its men's and women's teams, and other state schools have shown little interest in trying to excel.

The trip to South Carolina certainly was an indication of USM's ambition to improve. The squad did not have the money to fly, but did raise cash to rent a 15-person van for the 1,200-mile trip.

St. Peter took a half-dozen of his varsity players. In addition, he took two "climb-ons," novice competitors who came out for the squad by climbing into the van and heading south: Leah McDaniels and Christie Winchendon.

There were also several players from the men's team on the van when it pulled out in mid-April for the week-long venture.

"We didn't all know each other at first," said O'Brien. "But it turned out to be a good way to get to know each other because it was such a long trip.

"Now when we get together to play in the fall, we'll really know each other. It brought us together as a team."

O'Brien, who played No. 1 in the absence of deGolian, said that camaraderie is an appealing aspect of playing on the squad.

"We want to play well, but there's not a lot of pressure," said O'Brien, who was 3-2 in singles and 4-1 in doubles. "We're out to win yet we also want to have fun. We're looking forward to next season."

The trip could serve as a motivator in more ways than one, St. Peter said.

"After all that time in the van, I think they'll work harder next year to make more money," he said. "We want to fly when we go again, not drive."

Dyke Hendrickson, a former sports writer for The Portland Newspapers, is an avid tennis player.

Maine Sunday Telegram, Sunday, May 3, 1998
© 1998 Guy Gannett Communications