WT’s Home Slate Opens with Doubleheader Saturday

BUILDING FOR NOW AND THE FUTURE
Scrivano Wants to Get Back to Final Fours, Winning Big 12 Titles

As he's proven time and time again over the last 16 years, Joey Scrivano has a formula that can keep the Baylor women's tennis team in the top 25 and making it to the NCAA Tournament every year.
            Scrivano could have scraped together enough pieces to do it again this year.
            "But ultimately, we've played in Final Fours and we've won quite a few Big 12 titles, and we want to get back to that," said the 17^th-year Baylor head coach, whose team begins its home spring schedule with a Saturday doubleheader, facing UTRGV at 11 a.m. and New Mexico at 4 p.m. at the Hawkins Indoor Tennis Center.
"We want to get back to that, and we want to get the big ring. To compete for national championships, we've got to do things a little different now."
            Not that he's written off the 2019 season by any means, but Scrivano took an initial hit by bringing in a pair of recruits that have to sit out a year in residence. Melanie Krywoj from Argentina and Alicia Herrero Linana from Spain both played in ITF pro tournaments beyond the NCAA's six-month grace period and won't be eligible for competition until January 2020.
            "Ultimately, we just felt like they really fit our culture and what we're trying to build here, so we were willing to pay the penalty," Scrivano said. "At the end of the day, it's about sustainability and you making decisions that help you in the short-term but more importantly help you in the long-term. And we're definitely doing that now."
            Paula Baranano, a 19-year-old from Argentina, just arrived on campus and will have to sit out Saturday's matches before being eligible for Monday's doubleheader against Rice and Prairie View A&M.
            "Paula, obviously, will give us a huge lift. She will make a huge difference. In Hawaii, that would have been a totally different outcome," he said of a 4-3 loss last to the Golden Rainbows Saturday when he used two walk-ons in the lineup.
            The cupboard is certainly not bare. Five players return from an 18-14 team that made the program's 14^th consecutive postseason appearance, losing to UCLA in the second round, and finished in the top 25 for the 13^th time in the last 14 years.
            Sophomore Livia Kraus is "arguably the most improved player in college tennis," Scrivano said. She recorded the most singles wins on the team last season (25) and was a combined 18-4 at Nos. 4-6 singles, "but now she's lifted her game to a level where she's an All-America candidate" and the Bears' highest-ranked player at No. 59.
            "Very few players can make that kind of a jump," Scrivano said. "That's been a game-changer for us. Because at No. 1, it's hard to find an underclassman that can really perform there."
            Also ranked is fellow sophomore Kristina Sorokolet at No. 114 after compiling a 9-14 record last season while playing almost exclusively in one of the top three positions in the lineup.
            "She went from being on the bench to a successful top-3 player in the lineup. So, her progress has been remarkable and she has a bright future," Scrivano said. "I think we're just kind of scratching the surface with her."
            Juniors Jessica Hinojosa and Angelina Shakhraichuk are the lone upperclassmen on the team and won a combined 39 singles matches a year ago.
            "Angie has been so consistent for her career here. She just fights, competes hard. We know what Angie is going to bring to the table," Scrivano said. "Similar to Angie, Jess just brings her lunch pail every day, competes hard. And she's been asked to play higher in the lineup. She just shows up every day. She's a grinder, very coachable, just a really solid performer"
            Sophomore Dominika Sujova was used predominantly in doubles last season, posting an impressive win over a top-10 team in the UCLA match, but will have to become more consistent in singles.
            "She's going to be an 'X 'factor for us, because she needs to make that jump like the other four have," Scrivano said of Sujova. "You have to be all-in. To make that transformation, you can't be a part-time player. We're coaching Domi and the whole team on the ownership of the process. I can't own it for them, they have to own it."
            The Bears also have a trio of walk-ons in sophomore Katelyn Parker and freshmen Stephanie Adames and Alexandra Ahearn.

"Every match is going to be really challenging for us," Scrivano said. "Not that we ever sit around here taking anyone lightly. But, with this situation we're in now, we have to be incredibly on top of our game. The margins are going to be smaller than ever."

WACO, Texas – Baylor's women's tennis team will open its home 2019 schedule Saturday at the Hawkins Indoor Tennis Center with a pair of matches vs. UTRGV at 11 a.m. and New Mexico at 4 p.m.

The Bears (0-1) began the season Jan. 12 at Hawaii where the Golden Rainbows edged Baylor 4-3. BU now turns its attention to its home opener where the Bears are 28-7 all-time and 16-0 under 17^th-year head coach Joey Scrivano.

UTRGV is 0-1 on the season with a 6-1 loss to Sam Houston State Wednesday and Baylor is 6-0 all-time vs. the Vaqueros (formerly UT Pan American). New Mexico opens its season with Baylor, and the Bears are 2-1 all-time vs. the Lobos, including a 7-0 win over UNM last season on Jan. 26.

WT’s Home Slate Opens with Doubleheader Saturday

Players Mentioned

Stephanie Adames

Alexandra Ahearn

Jessica Hinojosa

Livia Kraus

Katelyn Parker

Angelina Shakhraichuk

Kristina Sorokolet

Dominika Sujova

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