Jan. 28, 2010
By Heather Lancaster
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Junior Jenny Frisell has been facing ranked players since her freshmen year. It wasn't until this year she actually started beating them. Hard work and determination along with a slight new game plan has helped Frisell come out on top.
Frisell started off her fall season with a win against No. 25 Kristi Boxx from Ole Miss in straight sets at the Gator Invitational. "It feels good to beat these ranked players, "I have been playing ranked players the past two years and I have been so close, but never been able to pull off a win," said Frisell.
Since this big win she has faced four other ranked opponents. Frisell beat No. 108 Cameron Ellis from Georgia at the ITA Southeast Regionals, but fell to No. 24 Noemie Scharle later that day in three sets. After the ITA Regionals, the Knights played at the FSU Invitational. Here Frisell lost to No. 21 Bianca Eichkorn from Miami in three sets.
Her most recent victory was against Courtney McLane from Alabama. McLane was No. 61 in the preseason rankings. Frisell beat McLane in straight sets at the UCF Quad Tournament and McLane went on to defeat a pair of top opponents from Florida State and Illinois. "Jenny played amazing against a top player from Alabama. It proves that she can compete with the best players in the country," said head coach Stephanie Nickitas.
Frisell credits these victories to a new game strategy and help from Nickitas. "When I came here my freshmen year, I played behind the baseline, almost at the fence. Now, I am more aggressive standing on the baseline. I am pushing my players. I am not letting them get the point. I am dictating it instead." Nickitas has worked with Jenny and helped her improve her singles and doubles game.
Although she's missed sometime recently due to an injury, Frisell will be determined to add even more impressive victories to her collection in 2010.
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