The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, April 14, 1980, Page Page 13, Image 13
Tension easing
for frpchm^n
tennis player
By Tammy KMpatrick
Gamecock Staff Writer
Pressure usually builds as a person gets closer to a goal, but for
freshman Ellen Oxreider the tension is easing.
Oxreider, an 18-year-old business major playing fourth seed on the
Lady Gamecocks tennis team, said her first semester competing in
sixth position was much more pressure-filled than her current semester
as fourth seed.
"First semester during challenges (matches determining seed
position) I felt like there was a lot of pressure on me to do well because 1
was the only freshman on scholarship," she said.
Oxreider alternated sixth place with senior Missy Malool much of the
fall season, in which the team was undefeated except for one second
place finish in the Catherine Sample Memorial tournament.
"THIS SEMESTER I was sixth and didn't have anything to lose," she
said, "so I did real well in challenges."
The fourth place seed isn't as high as she would like to be, although
she feels confident in her position. "I'm glad to be moved up, but I
thought I did better in challenges." She lost only to number-one seed
Susan Smith when playing challenges.
Two recent losses to Wisconsin and North Carolina will not affect her
confidence, according to Oxreider. "It's just going to motivate me a
little more," she said. "I have not been pleased with how I've been
playing for a while."
Oxreider said she has gained confidence from playing her teammates,
who she feels are better than or as good as she is. "Playing with
all the team and knowing you can stay with them gives you confidence.
x uu re noi oui mere ngnting lor something you can't do," sJJ)? said.
ON SCHOLARSHIP from Melbourn, Florida, Oxreider said she chose
USC because Coach Jeff Kefalos convinced her she was needed on the
team. "He was really enthusiastic. He acted like he really wanted me,
and he really thought I'd help the team," she said.
The pressure of playing was nothing new to Oxreider, who has been
competing in tournaments since she was eight. Her tennis coach in
Florida, Nancy Reed, is number-one in over 40's in the nation.
"I've always ben competitive," Oxreider said. "I know I got upset if I
lost when I was young, and that means there's a lot of pressure on you."
Moving from Alabama to Florida forced Oxreider to start the climb
up the ladder again, but she eventually worked her way to ninth in
Florida in the 18-and-overs. "It's real hard working up because if
you're not on top from the beginning there's so much pressure for you to
beat so many people," she said.
Oxreider has since slipped to 13th in Florida, but is ranked 52nd in the
U.S.
THE DEPTH OF THE team will help them in Nationals, Oxreider
believes. "Five or six seed could play number one if they were really
playing well," she said. She believes the team will have a good season
and said the Florida trip (during spring break to play three top ten
teams) will be the toughest challenge for the team.
Oxreider, although confident at fourth seed would eventually like to
play number-one so she can assess her chances when she turns
professional.
"I really want to play number-one for Carolina so I could get to play
ovmc ui me gu 1a men <xik guuig.iu tut ii pru anu see now 1 uo, sue said.
"I would like the chance to play some of the players now because I'm
really playing well."
THE STRONGEST part of her game, according to Oxreider, is a
powerful serve and forehand. "Nobody likes to return my forehand,"
she said. "I usually hit it real hard and put it away."
Tennis has always been natural for Oxreider and she admits she
never seriously worked at her game until she was 16. "I was a natural
athlete. I finallv started workine real hard anH that's whpn I starfpH
improving a lot, but I still slack off some," she said.
Oxreider said her playing style is more aggressive than many
women. "I like to play against guys. They can't believe how hard I hit
the ball," she said.
PRESSURE FOR Oxreider was playing sixth and wanting to do
better, but her new position will lessen that pressure and make her
more confident of her overall game. "There's always pressure in any
kind of match, but I have a lot of confidence now, I feel good about my
vhole game," she said.
From pago 12
CARRAWAY RAPPEI) his second double of the contest to right field
with one away in the ninth inning and scored on Paul Hollins' double to
left field after Rob Lowery struck out, Jonson reached on another error
by Sommers.
McCarthy came to the plate and lined the first pitch right at Sommers
to end the game.
The victory gave the Bears a 20-7 mark this season. Gordon was
charged with the loss, his first decision of the year.
Friday night, the Gamecocks defeated the Bears 4-1 behind a combined
six hitter thrown by freshman Mark Calvert and relief pitcher
Martin Small.
Carolina scored three runs in the fourth inning off starting pitcher
Tim Werkin. Farquharson walked to open the inning, but was forced at
second on a ground out by Boatwright. Curl doubled to center, chasing
Boatwright to third base Hollins walked as did the next batter Jonson
whose base on balls with the bases loaded forced Boatwright home with
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uic nisi run ui uit* game. rtui'i rvcuii layiui piipptru uui, nuuuy
Vollmer singled to ct. *er to score Curl and Hollins.
Carolina scored one more time in the bottom of the seventh. With one
out, Farquharson doubled and advanced to third on a balk. He scored
on Curl's 29th RBI of the year.
Curl had two hits in the game, scored a run and drove one run in.
I Vollmer also had two hits. They teamed for four of Carolina's six hits in
the game.
USC travels to Clemson for a two game series with the Tigers who are
21-14 on the year. Righthander Bill Landrum (7-2,2:83 ERA) is slated to
be on the mound for the Gamecocks.
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