Q&A with Head Coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews
Feb. 7, 2006
Hurricanesports.com sat down with <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Miami women’s tennis head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews to talk about the upcoming season, the new additions to the team and her expectations for the year. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
Coming off a solid 2005 season, what are your expectations heading into this season?
Paige Yaroshuk-Tews: My expectations are simply to show up for practice each and every day ready to work. If our players are able to work at a level higher than anyone else in the country we will be extremely successful. The talent is evident; the level of work ethic is where it’s at. That will separate the good from the great.
Who will be your leaders?
Paige Yaroshuk-Tews: Ultimately, it is every team member’s responsibility to lead in some way; whether they lead academically, in the weight room or on the court. If every member of this team is aspiring to become a leader, we’re in great shape. Every one of our players will be held accountable for leading this program in a positive way right through to the NCAA Championships in May.
There are three newcomers this year, how do you feel they will contribute?
Paige Yaroshuk-Tews: Ana Rupic, Monika Dancevic and Audra Cohen bring so much to this program in terms of talent. They have the ability to catapult this team into theTop-5 in the country. Their level of energy and excitement for this program is contagious. I’m really looking forward to coaching them and helping them excel in every aspect of their college life.
What opponents are you most looking forward to playing this year?
Paige Yaroshuk-Tews: This is probably the toughest schedule we have had in the last six years or so. We are always excited to take on our ACC rivals in Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Duke. Outside of the conference I am really looking forward to getting a look at Texas who made it to the NCAA finals last season. Florida always has a way of testing a programs’ insides. UF battles better than any team in the country and I always like to see how my team responds to that type of competition.
What does it say about the program to get invited to the ITA National Team Indoor Championships for two consecutive seasons?
Paige Yaroshuk-Tews: It says that we are one of the top programs in the country in January. Our goal is to be one of the top programs in May. This tournament is definitely a step in that direction.
Megan Bradley enjoyed one of the most successful season for a player in Miami women’s tennis history. How will you fill the void of her departure?
Paige Yaroshuk-Tews: It isn’t often that a program loses such a great player in Megan Bradley and replaces her with another outstanding player in Audra Cohen. I feel extremely confident that Cohen will fill every void left by Bradley’s departure. Cohen had an exceptional season in 2005 at Northwestern and we’re looking for her to lead the way at the top of our line-up.
What was the impact of having such a high profile and extremely successful player like Audra Cohen transfer to Miami have on the team and the program?
Paige Yaroshuk-Tews: Cohen’s impact on this program is huge; not simply athletically, but also personality-wise. I have never seen a player who enjoys playing tennis as much as Audra Cohen. Her expectations for herself seep through her skin and I know that raises the bar for the rest of the team. She’s a great kid and I am looking forward helping her fulfill her dreams.
