Team History

"Walsh University Women's Tennis History" The Cavs women's tennis program has had a storied history since its first season in 1982-83. The Cavs have produced nine championship teams, made nine national championship appearances and produced countless all-conference performers. Tennis Wall of Famers include the sister combination of Paula and Mia Battista and Denise Gahera. The Battista duo made national championship appearances in 1984 and 1985. Walsh's first team championship team was in 1985. Head Coach Sherry Bossart led the Cavs to the District 22 title, with the help of the Battista's. Walsh's next championship team came in 1989 under Head Coach Dave Warner. Female Athlete of the Year Jane Kettlewell, Marita DeMarinis, Michelle Gahera and Jill Hanigofsky led the Cavs. Kettlewell also represented the Cavs in the nationals in 1987 after winning the District 22 singles crown. Walsh's return to the top started when Sherry Bossart returned as head coach in 1992. After two solid years, Coach Bossart made her biggest catch when she signed Lisa Arnold to a letter of intent to play at Walsh. Arnold was the lone bright spot for the Cavs in 1994, finishing 12-7 at first singles and winning the District 22 singles crown. In 1995, Arnold's sister Kelly joined the Cavs and the team began to gel. Walsh won the Mid-Ohio Conference tournament and finished 17-4 for the season. The Cavs made a return trip to the national championships and finished 36th. Lisa Arnold successfully defended her singles crown and fashioned a 15-5 mark. One of the biggest surprises came in fourth singles, where freshman Danielle Stacy went 18-2. Stacy and Kelly Neary also won the district doubles championship and finished 15-4. The Cavs won again in 1996, finishing 18-1 on the season and tied for 21st at the NAIA National's. Katie Gue, Stacy and Lisa Bunton all won MOC singles championships and Lisa Arnold/Kelly Neary and Gue and Amy Magda won doubles crowns. The Cavs already strong line-up from top to bottom got even stronger with the addition Darci Violand and Marci Mitson in 1997. The Cavs went 21-1 and 5-0 in the MOC tourney and returned to the nationals. Lisa Arnold capped off her great career by winning Walsh Female Athlete of the Year honors. She went 20-1 at first singles in her senior year and 19-2 with Marcie Mitson in the first doubles spot. The Cavs won again in 1998 with a perfect MOC mark (4-0) and an overall record of 18-3. Violand was 16-2 at first singles and Mitson was 13-5 at second singles. Stacy continued her outstanding work at fifth singles finishing 17-2. Violand and Mitson played first doubles and finished 17-2. With a much tougher schedule in 1999, the Cavs finished 8-8 overall, but 5-0 in the American Mideast Conference to again reach the NAIA Nationals. The Cavs shined at the big show with a 15th place finish. Lisa Bunton, Mitson and Violand all won AMC singles crowns, with Mitson and Violand winning the doubles championship. The Cavs breezed through the 2000 regular season with a perfect 6-0 AMC mark, before being upset in the regional championship. Even though they were denied their first national appearance since 1994, the Cavs did have some outstanding individual performances. Violand went 17-2 at number one singles and Mitson fashioned a perfect 17-0 mark at second singles. The twosome finished 14-3 at first doubles. Junior Cari Ihrig was also a perfect 10-0 at third singles. The Cavs returned to the national limelight last season, with a return trip to the NAIA big show. Walsh finished with a record of 12-11 overall and 6-1 in the AMC. The highlight of the year came when the Cavs avenged a regular season loss to Cedarville by defeating the Yellow Jackets 5-4 to win the AMC Tournament. Freshman Sarah Coutts continued a Walsh tradition with outstanding play at number one singles with a 16-7 mark. She earned All-AMC singles honors along with Andrea Arnold, the third and final Arnold's sister to play at Walsh. Freshman Erin Sunseri also made a big splash with a 15-3 mark at sixth singles. She teamed with Coutts to earn All-AMC doubles honors along with Arnold and Sarah Book.

Mar. 17, 2010

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