Tennis teams look to turn corner in second year

Just a year ago, the men's and women's Terrapin tennis programs were in turmoil. With the hire of coaches Kyle Spencer and Howard Joffe, a new mindset and direction was established — even if the results each found were still far from what they desired.

The men's team posted its best start in 24 years before struggling in ACC play and finishing with a dual record of 13-13. The women's side failed to win a conference match in a 5-14 season. But in their second seasons, both Joffe and Spencer believe they've righted the trajectory of their once-struggling programs.

With the women's team mired in mediocrity for most of the past decade, a thorough rebuilding process was all but a necessity to turn around a program surrounded by negativity. Two years ago, this university took a step forward in hiring a coach who had experience in turning programs into winners.

After guiding Miami (Ohio) to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2009, Joffe accepted an equally daunting task with the Terps. But even he recognized it would take some doing to turn around the program, which has endured a 2-42 record in the ACC in the past four seasons.

"When I came on two years ago, it was a very weak team," Joffe said. "But we have a completely new-look team."

Four freshmen and two transfers make up the bulk of the reconstructed squad. Junior Cristina Sanchez-Quintanar and sophomore Ana Belzunce join freshman Megan Dailey, Welma Luus, Jordaan Sanford and Cristina Stancu as newcomers likely to see immediate playing time.

"Four freshmen will start," Joffe said. "They're all very good tennis players, but they're inexperienced and will need to get acclimated."

After a home match against Syracuse tomorrow, the Terps will hit the road and play five road matches in a row, three in the Northeast against the likes of Boston College, Brown and Harvard.

"Playing at home and away from home, everything is new for us, so I expect it to be a challenge," Joffe said. "The players are very excited to begin the season, as well as to play in the Boston area."

On the men's side, Spencer already knows what his team is capable of. After winning more matches than any men's team since 1992 with five freshman starters, he is eager to take the next step.

"Last year, we were able to change the culture in the program with our core group of guys," Spencer said. "Now we're tired of practicing, and we're excited to get the season started."

The men's team is ranked No. 70 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings, but that's one of the last things concerning Spencer.

"The rankings are subjective, and they don't mean much. What's important is how well we fare on the court," Spencer said.

For the second-year coach to attain his lofty goal of reaching the NCAA Tournament, he'll need significant contributions from his established veterans. As the team seeks to break into the national rankings, it will lean on ITA-ranked players Sergio Wyss and Maros Horny, the only Terp with NCAA quarterfinal experience.

"To do well this year, we're going to place emphasis on executing," said Spencer, whose Terps face George Washington in their season opener tomorrow. "We're going to have to finish in the top half of the ACC to reach that goal, but it all depends on how well we compete."

munson@umdbk.com