AT THE NET: Freshman Madison Shoemaker
4/13/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Shoemaker has combined with Anna Guryanova (Moscow, Russia) and Maria Rodriguez (Bogotá, Colombia) to account for 36 singles victories in 2011-12, while posting a collective .571 winning percentage.
Her 11 individual wins is the third highest total on the team and she is one of four players with double-digit victories on the season.
Highlights of Shoemaker's exploits to this point include two wins in BIG EAST dual matches, a win over Taylor Holt of #73 Fordham and a four-match winning streak earlier in the spring season, a stretch that saw the Pirates go 3-1 as a team.
In doubles, the freshman has partnered with senior Elizabeth Verow (Barnt Green, England) to form what has proven to be a consistent force in the number two slot in the Pirates' lineup.
Shoemaker and Verow have teamed to record seven dual match doubles victories, second most on the squad behind SHU's top duo of Rocio Portela (Demetrio Vega Baja, Puerto Rico) and Chloe Sher (Tin Shui Wai, Hong Kong) who have won in their last 12 appearances.
The Pirates are 5-2 when Shoemaker and Verow score a doubles victory.
In the fall, the two advanced to the semifinals of the A flight at the Quinnipiac Invitational and also qualified for the ITA Regional Tournament.
With the Pirates poised to take on two BIG EAST foes in home matches this weekend, Shoemaker took some time to speak with At the Net about the season and the meaning of a potential postseason berth.
Q: With just two matches remaining in the regular season, take a moment to reflect on your season as well as the team's, and talk a little bit about how it has compared to your expectations coming in.
Shoemaker: Overall the team has had a pretty strong season and we've put ourselves in a position where we can still make the BIG EAST Tournament. The team aspect of collegiate tennis has exceeded my expectations. Usually tennis is such an individual sport but now I'm a part of a very close team and I want to work hard to support them and try to win every match not just for myself, but for my team and my school.
Q: As you mentioned, the team is currently in control of its own destiny in terms of earning a spot in the BIG EAST Tournament. What would it mean to you to be a part of the program's first conference tournament berth in five years?
Shoemaker: It would mean a lot and show that our teams' hard work has really paid off this season. We have Chloe and Rocio who are coming off of an amazing doubles season, hardly losing a match and Chloe who is doing so well in singles. All members of the team have done a great job of contributing this season and making the BIG EAST Tournament would be a great reward.
Q: You have spent the majority of the year with senior captain Lizzie Verow as your doubles partner. What sort of things have you learned from playing with her?
Shoemaker: Lizzie has been a great captain and leader for this team. Playing doubles with her helped me so much coming in as a freshman. Her skills and experience in doubles helped me learn quickly and watching her, I have been able to set goals for myself as a player in the future. I was obviously a bit nervous for my first couple matches, and still am sometimes, but Lizzie is always there to keep me calm and put a smile on my face. She has set a great example and I really look up to her on and off the court.
Q: With those lessons and a season under your belt, what sort of things will you do in the offseason to ensure that you come back ready to have another good year?
Shoemaker: After playing a full year of collegiate tennis, I really know what to expect for next fall. The competition is higher than in junior tennis and I now know what I need to improve to win more matches at this level. I know I need to get more comfortable with my all court game, recognizing when to move into the net. I am going to work mostly on my movement forward, instead of hanging back and hitting too many balls from the baseline.
Q: It can't all be about work and with the season drawing to a close, what are you looking forward to doing with your downtime?
Shoemaker: I'm looking forward to having some free time to go to the city and maybe catch a Rangers playoff game since I'm not home to cheer on my Canucks. I also want to try to go to a Yankee game before going home for the summer.
Madison and the Seton Hall tennis team take the court again on Saturday, April 14 for a showdown with West Virginia. Start-time is scheduled for Noon from the Baird Courts in South Orange.
