They are dedicated and busy- very busy. Student-athletes are renowned for balancing heavy academic workloads with lofty athletic goals. Moving seamlessly between the lab and the court, they do it without the faintest hint of difficulty.
They do so not because it's easy, but rather because of an innate appreciation for gamesmanship and competition. There exists a voice only athletes can hear. It is the voice that drives a twenty-one year old full-time student to stay late on weekdays perfecting a stroke, serve or volley.
Jessica Ruth has an unimposing and friendly presence off the court. In a match though, an audience is likely to see her brows furrowed with a tenacious intensity. Standing at 5'4, the Novato, California native isn't especially intimidating, yet her aggressive, quick play has her ranked 4th in the western region in singles.
Ruth lost only one singles match all the season- to the regions top ranked player, and leads a 2008 team ranked 19th in the nation in DIII play.
She's played the game since she was eight years old, battling between the highs of success and the lows of injury while tight-roping the academic, athletic line.
As a freshman at UC Irvine in 2005, Ruth injured her left shoulder before transferring to UC Santa Cruz the following autumn.
As a senior neuroscience major with a 3.2 G.P.A. Ruth has proven capable of finding time for both academia and athletics. Yet she has not been aided by the sympathy of the UCSC academic staff, as is often the case at Division I universities with prominent athletic programs.
"In the spring we travel a lot because of tournaments and the fact that we're the only DIII team in the region," Ruth said. "But professors don't understand the athletic program here, or the amount of time involved."
Ultimately, students are constantly striving to stay caught up in class and on the court. On the court at least Ruth has had the support of fellow teammate Megan Sweeney. For the past two years Sweeney and Ruth have been doubles partners and this year are ranked the 3rd best doubles team in the region.
As a four-year veteran of the team, Berkeley native and senior Megan Sweeney is one of three fourth-year players, including Ruth and Chayla Furlong, whose leadership proved instrumental this season. The two are now thriving in their second year as doubles partners.
"This is their second year playing together," Head Coach Erin Ness said. "They understand where to move; they read each others body language well and adjust quickly-when ones off their game the other helps reignite the fire."
Sweeney, a fourth year Sociology major and education minor plans to give back to the community as a teacher. She will look back at her last year with fond memories.
"I'll remember how much heart this team has," Sweeney said. "How much pure determination, will and heart can accomplish."
The two's individual play has also greatly improved in the past year, and has resulted in an even more venomous doubles team. Sweeney improved her range and last summer Ruth worked meticulously to improve her volleys -a shot the player hits before the ball hits the ground, usually nearer to the net.
A combination of athleticism, intensity and camaraderie has helped them to lead a young team. Outside of tennis, Ruth and Sweeney are housemates and close friends.
"They've become more aggressive, they move more to the net; take more chances and are wholly more fearless than in the past," Ness said. "They're really good friends and their personal relationship outside of tennis is really strong."
Both players are primed to graduate this spring, "This is the end of the road," Ruth said. Senior Chayla Furlong alluded to the special quality of the current team's make-up.
"I'll never forget how much we cared about each other," Furlong said. "How we came out and played for each other, it's something I don't know I'll ever be able to have again."
They do so not because it's easy, but rather because of an innate appreciation for gamesmanship and competition. There exists a voice only athletes can hear. It is the voice that drives a twenty-one year old full-time student to stay late on weekdays perfecting a stroke, serve or volley.
Jessica Ruth has an unimposing and friendly presence off the court. In a match though, an audience is likely to see her brows furrowed with a tenacious intensity. Standing at 5'4, the Novato, California native isn't especially intimidating, yet her aggressive, quick play has her ranked 4th in the western region in singles.
Ruth lost only one singles match all the season- to the regions top ranked player, and leads a 2008 team ranked 19th in the nation in DIII play.
She's played the game since she was eight years old, battling between the highs of success and the lows of injury while tight-roping the academic, athletic line.
As a freshman at UC Irvine in 2005, Ruth injured her left shoulder before transferring to UC Santa Cruz the following autumn.
As a senior neuroscience major with a 3.2 G.P.A. Ruth has proven capable of finding time for both academia and athletics. Yet she has not been aided by the sympathy of the UCSC academic staff, as is often the case at Division I universities with prominent athletic programs.
"In the spring we travel a lot because of tournaments and the fact that we're the only DIII team in the region," Ruth said. "But professors don't understand the athletic program here, or the amount of time involved."
Ultimately, students are constantly striving to stay caught up in class and on the court. On the court at least Ruth has had the support of fellow teammate Megan Sweeney. For the past two years Sweeney and Ruth have been doubles partners and this year are ranked the 3rd best doubles team in the region.
As a four-year veteran of the team, Berkeley native and senior Megan Sweeney is one of three fourth-year players, including Ruth and Chayla Furlong, whose leadership proved instrumental this season. The two are now thriving in their second year as doubles partners.
"This is their second year playing together," Head Coach Erin Ness said. "They understand where to move; they read each others body language well and adjust quickly-when ones off their game the other helps reignite the fire."
Sweeney, a fourth year Sociology major and education minor plans to give back to the community as a teacher. She will look back at her last year with fond memories.
"I'll remember how much heart this team has," Sweeney said. "How much pure determination, will and heart can accomplish."
The two's individual play has also greatly improved in the past year, and has resulted in an even more venomous doubles team. Sweeney improved her range and last summer Ruth worked meticulously to improve her volleys -a shot the player hits before the ball hits the ground, usually nearer to the net.
A combination of athleticism, intensity and camaraderie has helped them to lead a young team. Outside of tennis, Ruth and Sweeney are housemates and close friends.
"They've become more aggressive, they move more to the net; take more chances and are wholly more fearless than in the past," Ness said. "They're really good friends and their personal relationship outside of tennis is really strong."
Both players are primed to graduate this spring, "This is the end of the road," Ruth said. Senior Chayla Furlong alluded to the special quality of the current team's make-up.
"I'll never forget how much we cared about each other," Furlong said. "How we came out and played for each other, it's something I don't know I'll ever be able to have again."
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