Also online:
As Bob Salt takes over the reigns of the UW-Stout women's tennis team, he will find a program that is on the rise and has earned a respectablity around the WIAC.
The Blue Devils' have seen a steady stream upward - which last year saw the Blue Devils post their best-ever season record (12-5). Mark Noll, who directed the program since 2003, left to take a head basketball coaching position at the University of Dubuque. Noll left a court full of young, steady players who have been a part of the upward surge.
Salt said he has been looking for his chance to coach the Blue Devil tennis team since arriving on campus 20 years ago. Salt is a professor in the College of Human Development and teaches family study classes.
"Getting a chance to coach this team is a great joy for me," Salt said. "What adds to my excitement is that this fall's team is so strong. There is a core of strong returning players and a strong recruitment class."
Salt, who played Division I tennis at the University of Maine during his undergraduate days, has kept his hand on the pulse of tennis by coaching at the high school level and by providing private lessons.
"I hope my background as a player and coach, along with my academic development and interpersonal dynamics, will assist the players to maximize their level of play."
As a freshman, Katie Carr (So, Rochester, Minn) was undefeated during the 2006 conference season at No. 6 singles, despite an injury that has forced her to alter her serve. Carr was seeded No. 1 heading into the WIAC Championships, but ultimately finished second in the tournament, Stout's best individual finish since Amy Jamieson in 1997. Carr's finish led Stout to a fourth place finish at the conference meet, matching their best-ever finish.
Jodie Czech (Jr, Foley, Minn) has been a solid player for the Blue Devils the past two seasons, and should vie for the No. 1 spot this year. Czech played predominately at No. 2 singles and teamed with now-graduated Jenna Bettmann at No. doubles. Czech and Bettmann finished the season at 13-7 overall. In singles, Czech tallied a 12-7 overall mark, but 10-5 at No. 2 and 2-2 at No. 1.
Michelle Hohl (Sr, Portage) has been attempting to fight off the injury bug that has plagued her late in the last two seasons. Hohl played at the No. 4 and No. 5 singles spots, with an overall 8-6 record, and combined with Carr at No. 3 doubles. The pair finished at 9-4 overall and are 8-2 over the last 10 matches of the season.
Kiersten Johnson (So, Andover, Minn) stepped into a tough spot for the Blue Devils, playing the majority of her matches at No. 3 singles. Johnson was 10-11 overall, but stayed above .500 at 7-6 in her No. 3 matches.
Danielle Farchmin (Jr, Waukesha) and Jariann Hurlburt (Jr, Durand) did not experience any type of sophomore jinx. Farchmin finished her year with a 10-2 overall record and played with a number of different partners in doubles play. Hurlburt was 2-1 in varsity competition and played a considerable number of exhibition matches.
Lindsey Luberda (So, Champlin, Minn) and Kelley Gillis (So, Eagan, Minn) both made strides throughout the season and saw a considerable amount of varsity doubles action. Jackie Duchac (Sr, Wisconsin Rapids) was injured early in the season, but appears to have recovered from the injury.
The Blue Devils will have an added incentive to raise their game to an even higher level. Starting in the 2007 season, the top four team finishers at the conference tournament will come back in the following spring to play in a four team tournament to determine which team will advance to the NCAA Division III tournament.