Youthful Contributions - Rookie netter looks to continue fast start Saturday against Baylor

kstatecollegian.com Published on Wednesday, March 12, 2003

Petra Sedlmajerova hits the ball in a match against Utah State at Cottonwood Raquet Club on Feb. 15. Sedlmajerova will play Baylor's Vida Mulec this weekend in Waco, Texas. She enters the tournament as K-State's No. 1 singles player, as well as the team's No. 2 doubles player with Paulina Castillejos. Evan Semon/Collegian

Wes Marfield Kansas State Collegian

When K-State (6-2, 2-1) travels to Waco, Texas, to face No. 42 Baylor (4-6, 3-0) at noon Saturday, freshman Jessica Simosa will look to build on her 7-1 record at No. 3 singles.

The Valencia, Venezuela, native started off the spring season 6-0 before suffering her first loss against Oklahoma on Saturday. Simosa also sports a 3-3 record in doubles competition along with her regular partner, sophomore Andrea Cooper.

Despite the fact that she's only a freshman, Simosa's quick start in singles play came as no surprise to Coach Steve Bietau.

"I wasn't surprised," Bietau said. "I got a fairly good look at Jessica during the recruiting process and felt she had the ability to do some really great things in college tennis."

Projected matchups

Singles

1. Petra Sedlmajerova, K-State vs. Vida Mulec, BU
2. Maria Rosenberg, K-State vs. Stephanie Balzert, BU
3. Jessica Simosa, K-State vs. Anna Moncolova, BU
4. Paulina Castillejos, K-State vs. Daria Potapova, BU
5. Hayley McIver, K-State vs. Izabela Mijic, BU
6. Andrea Cooper, K-State vs. Alison Bradley, BU

Doubles

1. Simosa/Cooper, K-State vs. Bradley/Potapova, BU
2. Sedlmajerova/Castillejos, K-State vs. Moncolova/Mulec, BU
3. Rosenberg/McIver, K-State vs. Balzert/Mijic, BU

For any athlete, the transition into collegiate athletics can be a tough step to take. Having to move to a new country, learn a new language and adapt to a new culture can add to the difficulty of that process.

Simosa, who grew up speaking Spanish, said having another native Venezuelan around has been helpful.

"English (has been difficult)," Simosa said. "I speak Spanish, so that's been difficult. Assistant coach Andres Gonzalez is from Venezuela, too, so that's been helpful."

Also helpful is the support Simosa has been recieving from teammates.

"I think she's adapting very well," Bietau said. "Jessica's a very likable person, and what you give out, you tend to get back."

As far as tennis goes, Simosa said the amount of training collegiate tennis players endure has been surprising to her.

"I used to train less," she said. "When i came here, the system was different and the way they train here was different."

In order to adapt to the differences, Simosa has had to put in some extra time practicing.

"Over Christmas break I stayed here and trained every single day after Dec. 24," Simosa said.

Along with her undefeated start this spring, Simosa said playing in the No. 3 singles spot has also been a highlight of her freshman campaign.

"Last semester I thought I was going to play No. 6, but I have improved and now I'm playing at No. 3 and I'm 7-1" Simosa said.

Simosa said she has one personal goal on her mind this year.

"I would like to win conference freshman of the year," she said.

The freshman also said she hopes to help her team move up in the Big 12 standings.

"We're No. 6 in the conference," Simosa said. "We would like to improve on that."

According to Bietau, Simosa has the ability to help her teammates both on and off the court.

"Jessica is a talanted young woman," Bietau said. "She's a good athlete, and she's someone who contributes in a lot of intangible ways. She's a very plesant person to be around, and when things get tough, everyone appreciates her sense of humor."