COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Fall 2014 season came to a close in early November for Mizzou tennis, as the team racked up 10 event championships and over 50 wins overall. The Tigers kick off Spring 2015 action on Jan. 17 with a road trip to UT-Arlington.
Leading up to the team's spring opener, MUTigers.com will sit down with each of the seven Tiger players and review their performance from this past fall. Up first is Mizzou's lone senior for the 2014-15 season, Alex Clark.
Clark's seven singles wins placed second among her teammates this fall. The London, England native's singles highlight came on Sept. 21 after claiming the No. 3 Mizzou Invite singles title. In doubles action, the senior leader teamed up with freshman Brianna Lashway throughout the fall months and finished with an impressive 8-3 record.
Clark and Lashway brought home two event doubles titles (No. 3 Mizzou Invite and SDSU Fall Classic "Red" Draw) and will be a formidable duo heading into the upcoming spring campaign.
Individually, Clark was one of many highlights for head coach Sasha Schmid and the Tigers. From the get go, Clark noted that the team's preparation and positive mindset played a big role into the Fall 2014 success.
"As a team, I think we put a lot of work in," Clark said. "We have worked really hard and put a lot of effort in to coming together as a team. We also worked a lot on `team mindset' with Katie McLean. That has included things like thinking skills, getting your mind right and positive thoughts. We have also worked really hard in the weight room with Kayln Sticher. We all picked up some good wins this fall season and had some good practices as well."
Entering her final season with Mizzou tennis, Clark has been a part of a variety of teams in Columbia, Mo. While the successful start to the 2014-15 season is due to numerous factors, Clark frequently referred back to the work of the team's mental performance coach, Katie McLean.
"I think we did a lot more work with team oriented activities," Clark said. "Thinking right and keeping our composure was big. All the stuff Katie (McLean) has taught us. She has been great with us. We've also taken a lot more initiative with ourselves."
In all, the Tigers competed in five separate tournaments this past fall season. Outside of two tournaments, only select Mizzou players traveled to the respective contests. Clark joined the Tigers at the Mizzou Invite, University of Georgia Invite and San Diego State University Fall Classic from mid-September to early November.
Out of the three venues she visited, Clark had one that ultimately soared above the rest.
"I loved the Mizzou Invite in Kansas City, Mo.," Clark exclaimed. "There was a lot more people there that were more of our home fans. San Diego, Calif. and the San Diego State Fall Classic was also very gorgeous."
With the Spring 2015 season about a month-and-a-half away, Clark is set to compete in her final collegiate tennis action. From her 2011-12 freshman season up until her 2014-15 senior campaign, Clark has experienced her share of memorable moments. While the senior is ready to leave Mizzou out on top, she's still unsure of the emotions that she'll feel each time out on the court.
"Mixed feelings," Clark responded. "Very mixed feelings. I'm ready to leave it all out there and give everything I have. I want to be able to look back and be proud of myself. I want to be able to say `I did a good job.' I can't wait to make memories with this team. I love this team. I can't wait to have great times and moments with them. I'm looking forward to it!"
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