By Tony Koziol
 

March 9, 2010

The Elmhurst College women’s tennis team is preparing to begin the spring portion of their tennis season, but they will be missing their top player.

According to women’s tennis head coach Anthony McPherson, sophomore
Virginia Dallman will miss the remainder of the spring with an injury. Dallman is the number one singles and doubles player on the Bluejays and was named to the CCIW all-conference second team in 2009.

“Virginia Dallman has a torn labrum in her shoulder and will not be able to compete this spring and we look forward for her getting healthy and returning in the fall,” McPherson said in an e-mail interview.

The good news, however, is that the Bluejays will be welcoming back a former teammate.

“I would like to welcome back Alex Stark; after taking the fall off to focus on her academics she is back to take on the competition,” McPherson said.

The Bluejays will be competing in the DePauw Invite on March 5 and 6 and will have a spring break competition at Hilton Head, South Carolina from March 25 to March 30. The Bluejays had a 3-7 record in 2009.

The Bluejays will be led by Dallman’s number one doubles partner, junior
Shannon Dale, and sophomore Stephanie Ruff, who played in nine matches as the team’s number three tennis player last year.

Senior Donna McKinney and senior Blaire Hufford, the number two doubles partners on the Bluejays last year, will likely be expected to also be big contributors as the Bluejays try to adjust from the loss of Dallman.

With Dallman’s injury, the Bluejays have only six healthy players who have played in matches last fall, but it could create an opportunity for Stark and junior Andrea Cladis, who had not played in any matches last fall.

“The team has been practicing indoors for the past month and is preparing to play two tough teams, Luther and Depauw,”  said McPherson. “This is Elmhurst’s first year playing a full year round schedule.  [It is] very exciting for the women and myself.”