(CSTV U-WIRE) CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Junior tennis player Amanda Taillefer credits her tournament dominance to her teammates.
At the Missouri Valley Conference Individual championships that took place from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, she came home undefeated in singles play, winning the first two matches in straight sets. In the finals, she knocked off University of Northern Iowa's Mariana Muraca, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 to claim the MVC title for the sixth flight.
Head coach Rene Vidal said Taillefer was on a mission heading into the weekend.
"We're happy for her because not only is it a great individual achievement, but it reinforces the principles of hard work and dedication," Vidal wrote in an e-mail.
While Taillefer won the individual title, she said she couldn't do it without her team. Taillefer said she was nervous going into the tournament because as the only returning player from last year's squad, everyone looked up to her.
She was named co-captain alongside junior Ame Blacketer at the beginning of the 2006 season. Taillefer said she didn't shy away from the extra pressure, though.
She welcomes it.
"I know my teammates look up to me," Taillefer said. "But that helps me stay on top of my game."
The Salukis won four meets throughout the entire 2005-06 season, but that didn't make Taillefer change. She said the difference this season wasn't extra training or major tweaks to her shot. Instead, she credited a change of attitude on the team.
A new set of teammates certainly helps.
"This year, we have a more competitive team within ourselves," Taillefer said. "We're always trying to stay competitive with each other, especially at practices."
Taillefer said the team gives everything it has day in and day out. The renewed vigor rubs off on everyone.
"The attitude is a huge confidence-booster because it helps generate momentum before the matches even start," Taillefer said. "We only have one more tournament to go, so we need to make sure the momentum carries over."
The Salukis are in action at the ITA Midwest Regionals in East Lansing, Mich., from Oct. 19 to 23.
(C) 2006 Daily Egyptian via U-WIRE
