Tyler, TX—After jumping out to the 12th place spot the Raiders have slid a bit, and have finished 24th overall in the 2012 D1 Women’s National Tennis Tournament. The girls finished the season with 5 straight wins to earn a 6-5-1 record heading into tournament play.
Twenty-nine teams competed in the tournament, a tournament that featured the best competitors that the NJCAA has to offer. Because GRCC’s tennis team competes without a conference, and there is no second tier division in the NJCAA, the Raiders are forced to take on some very talented teams in tournament play. Heather Delaney, Aubrey Kemme and Lauren Heemstra exhibited some stellar play, and all earned points for GRCC.
Kemme and Heemstra have both finished a strong rookie season at GRCC, and are slated to return, along with teammates Julie Daukss, Eugina Johnson and Laura Troyanowski. Delaney, along with fellow Raiders Brittany Kozakiewicz and Heather Williams will graduate.
With longtime coach Sue Katerberg retiring at the midpoint of the season, the Raiders have added new coach Nikki Banks. Banks will help to continue to develop the current talent, and will be responsible for finding new recruits. After finishing the 2012 season on a high note, the squad will no doubt return hungry as ever in September.
