Strong season despite injuries The Harding women's tennis team had an impressive ninth season of play. The team finished the 2000 season with an overall record of 15-7 and earned a spot in the Lone Star Conference quarterfinals. The Lady Bisons have had a winning record every season since the team's existence. The Lady Bisons started off the season red hot with a 5-0 record. Although, the team had a minor setback when sophomore Daniela Corrales, one of the team's top players, went down with a back injury. "We were not the same after Corrales' injury," coach David Elliot said. "It was probably the difference in us not making nationa ls." Even with Corrales' injury, the team still had a successful season. Sophomore Eva-Lena Axelsson and freshman Carolina Banuelos alternated at the number one and two singles positions. Axelsson finished with an 18-4 singles record and Banuels finished 15-6. The Axelsson twins also finished 15-7 as Harding's number one doubles team. Corrales won 10 of her first 12 matches before her injury, and junior first-year player Laura Tollett had a stellar season, finishing 13-4. Tollett also earned Academic All-Conference accolades. Sophomore Beth Bonbrisco paired with the team Louisa Duke, who joined the team after Corrales' injury, to form Harding's third doubles team. The team competed in many tournaments. In each tournament the team played six singles matches and three doubles matches. Some of the major tournaments were held at Ouachita Baptist, Freed Hardeman and Harding. The members of the women's tennis team c9;ne from a variety of countries and cultures. The team had players from Sweden, Mexico and Honduras, along with four U.S. members. Elliott said he believes next year's team will be the most talented team he has ever coached. "Not having a standout player could keep us out of the top 10, but having several great players will give us a very strong team," Elliott said. He said all of the key players from last season will return. The Lady Bisons will compete next year in the Gulf South Conference. "The women's tennis in the Gulf South Conference is extremely strong," Elliott said. "There could be as many as three conference teams ranked in the top 10 nationally. " I - Mac Bell Left to right: Eva-Lena Axelsson, Laura Tollett , Caroline Banuelos, Daniella Corrales, Michelle Shimpock, Beth Bonbrisco. Not pictured are Whitney Price and HirokoOkamoto. Photo by Jeff Montgomery. vv ~~o~r=n=en~~~~e=~n n~i~s __________ ~~ Athletics ~
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