Maddie Kobelt is beyond the freshman learning curve. She’s come a long way.

From an overwhelmed, first-year player who was sometimes incapable of handling her daily schedule to a thriving student-athlete who just notched her 30th win against Pittsburgh on April 8. Syracuse head coach Luke Jensen now has full confidence in his No. 2 singles player.

‘Kobelt’s not a floundering freshman anymore in Ernie Davis trying to figure out what line she should be in,’ Jensen said. ‘She’s got the bus schedule down, she’s got the class schedule down, and she’s got the tennis schedule down.’

Kobelt is one of three freshmen on the SU tennis team, along with Aleah Marrow and Eva Raszkiewicz. The three have grown from passive freshmen to confident contributors on the squad.

Kobelt and junior captain Emily Harman comprise the No. 32 doubles pairing in the nation. Marrow has won her last six singles matches, and Raszkiewicz has seen more playing time in both singles and doubles as the season has progressed.

The trio has impressed throughout the season and grown close both on and off the court. Kobelt and Marrow are roommates, and have spent time with Raszkiewicz since finding classes together on day one.

‘We all just understand each other,’ Kobelt said. ‘We’re in the same boat with school. We went to the first day of classes together and often help each other out with classes. We’ve just really grown and became friends. We’ve bonded over all the experiences we’ve had together and all the experiences we’ve had as a team.’

For Kobelt, playing with an intense competitor like Harman only sped up that learning curve. The pair had a stretch of 10 consecutive victories, including two over ranked opponents. They defeated Southern California’s No. 1 doubles team, which was ranked seventh in the nation at the time.

Kobelt said that victory stands out as a key moment in her season. She called it the biggest match of her collegiate career.

‘I felt that even though we weren’t able to convert the point as a team,’ Kobelt said, ‘the fact that me and Harman were able to bring it together for that match and play really well was a great confidence booster.’

Marrow’s contributions may not have been at the top of the scorecard, but in tennis, every match is equal. Only one single point can be earned from each of the six singles matches.

Harman said Marrow’s play has been crucial to the team’s success this season. But it’s Marrow’s personality that sets her apart from the rest.

Her positive attitude and the occasional mid-practice ‘Dougie’ dance boosts SU’s team morale.

‘In the heat of things when we’re all a little bit down, a little bit angry,’ Harman said, ‘she’ll say something that’ll bring us all back.’

Though no one doubts the drive of Kobelt and Marrow, Raszkiewicz’s work ethic is often most impressive.

Raszkiewicz has been on the bubble all season long. She has played sporadically at the tail end of both the singles and doubles lineups.

There are matches in which she is limited to cheering on her teammates. But at practice, she is always ready to fight her way onto Jensen’s lineup card.

‘She’s always on that hot seat,’ Jensen said. ‘It’s the most difficult spot on the team when you don’t know if you’re going to be called upon if someone gets hurt, sick or injured. But I think the biggest thing is she hasn’t one time gotten down or complained where she was. She’s doing everything possible to help our team.’

Jensen’s recruits have been getting better and better each season. Together, these three freshmen filled the void left by C.C. Sardinha, last year’s freshman star who transferred to Oklahoma State.

Jensen is very careful with who he brings to Syracuse. He wants to bring in players who will win. From Harman and Alessondra Parra two years ago to Sardinha last year to the trio this year, it is clear that his system is improving.

‘The theme for recruiting is if this player can play No. 1 for me right now,’ Jensen said. ‘Not after I work with them. We don’t need projects. We need finished products. … You ask yourself, ‘Can I work with this player? Can this player get herself to where she needs to be?’ And all three freshmen are right there.’

sebail01@syr.edu

 

Published on April 12, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Stephen: sebail01@syr.edu | @Stephen_Bailey1