UMass sophomore Denise Ridge of Milton, MA, was named Little East Conference Player of the Week for her outstanding play during the week of September 8-14. Ridge, who plays at the number one spot on the women’s tennis team, put together a flawless combined 4-0 in both singles and doubles play. Her singles victories were 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 over Denise Mengledorff of Eastern Nazarene College on September 9 and 6-4, 6-1 against Hannah Chavez of UMass Dartmouth on September 13, respectively. UMass senior Chrissy Coolidge of Portola Valley, CA, assisted Ridge in toppling Mingledorf and Molly Trevathan of Eastern Nazarene, 8-6 in Pro-Set. Later in the week Victoria Sarah Romero a freshman from Winthrop, MA, and Ridge backed each other in an 8-2 doubles victory over Jyoti Folch and Kerry Bauer of UMass Dartmouth.

Fittingly, Ridge is the reigning Little East Conference First Singles Champion with a 9-4 record in singles play in 2002 as a freshman. Going into her Thursday September 18 match against Suffolk University she had an overall colligiate record of 13-5. Ridges success is netted together by her well-rounded play, which is highlighted by her strength and determination.

First year coach Brad Hughes, who formerly was a 3-year coach at Milton High School, is coaching Ridge as well as the rest of the team this season. The Beacons defeated 7-2 Suffolk at Clark Athletic Center on September 18, which improves their overall record to 1-3 on the season. Four of the wins were the result of forfeit; nonetheless, the Beacons won three of their five actual matches. First singles Denise Ridge dominated Marlena Crandell 6-1, 6-2. Beacons Chrissy Coolidge and Chidinma Okebalama came back after dropping their first sets to win their matches as well. Coolidge went 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, and Okebalama went 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, toppling Katie Ryan and Melinda Moy of Suffolk, respectively.

This season the women’s team is comprised of 6 players, listed in ascending order: junior Cindy Wilson, freshman Victoria Romero, transfer Cindy Wong, sophomore Chidinma Okebalama, senior Chrissy Coolidge, and sophomore Denise Ridge. The Beacon’s next home opponent is a conference match on September 27 against Western Connecticut State University. Come out and support UMass athletics and see Denise Ridge face Kendra Sloat in what is sure to be a great first singles match.