When the Lady Frogs take to the courts against the Oklahoma Sooners today, head coach Dave Borelli said the most important thing for the team to do is to get back to the basics.”We’re trying to simplify things,” Borelli said. “We are figuring out what we do best and trying to make the game simpler.”
Though the Sooners (4-4) are coming to TCU on a three-game losing streak, Borelli said they will still be a good challenge for the Lady Frogs (5-3).
“Every match is tough,” he said. “It will be a good chance for our kids to get back on track.”
TCU is bouncing back after a 4-3 loss to Baylor on Feb. 22, but won its last match 5-2 Sunday against Fresno State.
Borelli said that freshman Anna Sydorska has shown improvement since the Baylor loss and that playing at home will be an advantage.
Sydorska, who is 4-3 in singles overall this season, said she is going to focus on improving the strategy of her game against the Sooners. She said she is going to work more on how to play the ball and where to play it at what times.
“I’m going to concentrate on playing deep to get more short balls and attack more and go to the net,” Sydorska said.
She said this causes her opponent to hit more short balls and it is then easier for Sydorska to play her own game.
Sydorska said the realization that she needed to improve came in her match against a Baylor opponent who was playing lobs against her.
“My game is better than hers,” she said, “but it’s not easy to play against the lobs.”
Sydorska’s doubles partner, senior Helena Besovic, said the Lady Frogs should not have a problem defeating the Sooners, though they are a solid team.
“We have a lot of good players,” Besovic said. “The team has improved a lot. Our number five and six players are playing with more confidence, and that’s made us better.”
Besovic, who is also 4-3 in singles this season, said her confidence has increased, as well – a result of playing numerous matches. She said this confidence, when combined with that of her doubles partner, has come with the desire to win. Together, the two are 6-1 for the season.
“We’re both very competitive and want to fight,” she said.
One thing Besovic said she is going to try and improve before the match Wednesday is attacking the net more and directing her shots.
“When I attack the net, I’ll be able to win easier,” Besovic said. “I’m also going to take more angles on my shots, so it’s harder to get them.”
Borelli said that while the team is aiming to continue winning at home, the Lady Frogs should not lose their focus.
“We have our hands full with playing,” Borelli said. “We want to make sure the kids don’t look ahead too much, but focus on themselves.