Spring Break
The Daily OrangeTennis | Jensen has plenty of reasons to celebrate junior Vasilyeva
By Edward Paik
Posted: 1/31/08, 10:28 PM EST Section: Sports
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The celebrations are a "festive" surprise and a chance for the players to bond away from home and their families, sophomore Chelsea Jones said.
Last year, Vasilyeva's fake birthday took place in the spotlights of Excalibur Hotel and Casino's "Tournament of Kings" show last year in Las Vegas, where the team went for spring training week.
But as one of just two returning players for the Orange, Vasilyeva's contributions themselves have been worth commemorating. The most experienced player on the team with two previous seasons under her belt, Vasilyeva's contribution is not limited to winning matches. Her intensity and calmness have been a topic of interest for the young team.
The Orange (2-0) travels to Manhattan, Kan., on Saturday at 11 a.m., where SU will play its first away match of the season against Kansas State. On Sunday, Syracuse takes on Missouri in Columbia, Mo., at noon.
Vasilyeva is an automatic win, Jensen said. Last season she had a 67 percent win average and was 9-3 in her past 12 singles matches coming in, Maria is a player who has gotten stronger physically and in play.
"She is someone, that when you look at the lineup card, where you say, 'Where are the tough matches? Where can we win, and where can we lose?'" Jensen said. "You always put a 'W' next to Maria."
That much has proven true so far this year. The junior Vasilyeva looks to improve her 2-0 starts at both singles and doubles matches, and said she was satisfied with her level of play thus far.
Vasilyeva is one of two players remaining from last year's roster. The other returnee, Jones, said she could not tell where either she or Vasilyeva would play or what Jensen's lineup would be for this season.
Vasilyeva was relieved to make the third singles position this year, despite playing at first and second last season. But Jensen's ultimate direction for his new tennis team does not align with her future plans, she said.
"He wants us to be professionals, but that's not my goal, that's not why I came here," Vasilyeva said. "My goal is to get an education."
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