Women’s tennis team gets healthy at right time

Finally, a break for the UNLV women's tennis team.

The past three months have been rough on the Rebels, who began the season with hopes of working their way into the top 25 before falling victim to a string of crippling injuries.

But ninth-year coach Kevin Cory suddenly is seeing reason for hope, as two key players have returned to the lineup just in time for the Mountain West Conference Tournament.

Junior Katy Williams is back from a wrist injury, and senior Sharon Marin has returned from back surgery, giving Cory reason to believe his team still could salvage an invitation to the NCAA Regionals.

"Certainly, injuries have taken their toll on our results," said Cory, whose 51st-ranked squad has managed to battle to a 14-8 overall record and 6-2 mark in Mountain West play despite the injuries. "If we were at full strength, I think we would have been on the winning end of several close matches, and we'd probably be top-25 by now."

Indeed, UNLV has dropped three 4-3 matches this year without Williams and Marin in, and Cory believes all could have gone his team's way under better circumstances.

Though neither of the players has returned to full health, Cory thinks both will be ready to help his team battle for the championship when the league tourney begins April 24 in Forth Worth, Texas.

"We hope to be healthy going into the tournament," he said. "The girls are keeping a very bright outlook and they're feeling really good about their chances."

Williams, who plays No. 3 singles and No. 2 doubles, said the past few weeks have been emotionally difficult.

"It's been really frustrating," said Williams, who was injured in a practice just before a March 2 match against Southern Methodist. "It's been tough to sit on the sidelines and watch us lose, but there's nothing I could really do about it."

But she believes she'll be ready for the conference tournament.

"I'm feeling really good," said Williams, whose injury has prohibited her from hitting two-handed backhands. "Hopefully, I'll be back to full strength (for the league tourney)."

Williams added that she has emerged from the setback as a stronger player, noting that the injury has forced her to broaden her game.

"I've had to just slice the ball," she said. "That's never really been a big part of my game, so it has helped me out a bit."

Marin, who sat out most of the regular season, returned to the lineup March 28 against Brigham Young.

"I was completely out of tennis for six months," said Marin, who had surgery in March of 2007 to repair a herniated disk in her back. "But I'm getting back gradually. I'm still not at 100 percent, but I'm playing."

She said her game also has evolved as a result of her health problems.

"My serve has completely changed," Marin said. "It's not as good now, but you learn how to play with what you've got at the moment."

At the moment, Marin feels ready to help her team fight for the automatic NCAA postseason berth with a championship in the league tournament.

"We're definitely positive about it," Marin said. "Hopefully, when we really get to the crucial matches, we'll be able to prove ourselves. As a senior, I know I want to finish my college career the best I can."

Texas Christian and Brigham Young appear to be the teams to beat in the tournament, but Cory has no doubt his healthy squad can overcome both opponents.

"We look forward to rematches," the coach said. "I think we've got something to prove."

The Rebels, who swept Wyoming, Colorado State and Air Force over the weekend to close out regular-season play, will enter the Mountain West tournament having won five consecutive matches.