Tennis team canceled, first time in 20 years
By John Baracani
For the first time in over 20 years, there will not be a women’s tennis team at IVCC. Angie Fleming, a returning member from last year’s national team, and Susannna Moreno were the only two players signed up to play this fall.
The only other time the woman’s tennis season was canceled was in 1977, also because too few players sign up.
After the one-year layoff in 1977, the team returned with an incredible run, compiling a combined record of 220 wins against 24 losses over 25 years. The team also qualified for the national tournament in 17 of the last 19 years, while finishing first in the Region IV in 15 of the last 17 years, and first in the N4C in 15 of the last 18 years.
This year was to be the dawn of a new era for women’s tennis. With the resignation of Coach Bruce Nelson this past spring, former IVCC tennis player Mylinda Arnold Threadgill was hired in June to be his successor. The late hiring left Threadgill with only a few months to do any recruiting.
"I had a little, but not much time for recruiting," Threadgill said. "I called around to a couple of (high school) coaches, and talked to some girls."
Threadgill attended IVCC in 1991 and 1993, starring in women’s tennis both years. She was second in the national tournament and number one in singles and doubles play. Since her college playing days, Threadgill has been a tennis instructor at both Ottawa and Aurora high schools.
The cancellation has, of course, been a major disappointment for not just the players and for the college, but for Threadgill as well.
"It’s a big disappointment, because we’ve had such a strong team as far back as I can remember."
The cancellation also means that the conference is left with only three women’s tennis teams. Those schools, DuPage, Harper, and Rock Valley, will now be forced to play in a heavily weakened conference.
For next season, unlike this past spring, Coach Threadgill will have time to do more recruiting and to help ensure that there is a team to coach at this time next fall.
"I plan to go to different high school matches this year, and meet with girls who will possibly play here next year," she said. "I’ll see who is available."
Sept 17, 1998 the Apache