EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. — Last May, the ESU tennis team wrapped up a historical season. Led by Marketa Beladova, who won PSAC Athlete of the Year, the Warriors broke the program's single-season wins record with an 18-7 season. On top of that, this season saw Ariel Kelsick break the single-season singles wins record on her way to being crowned as the PSAC Freshman of the Year.
 
With three total All-PSAC First Team selections from Lea Stefanovic, Beladova, and the duo of Beladova and Louise Boyer-Vidal for their doubles play, it's no question that this was a monumental season for ESU. This record-breaking season gave recognition to Head Coach Troy Haas, who was honored as the PSAC Coach of the Year. 
 
To some, Haas' coaching method may be a little unorthodox. Taking the team on a hike just two days before the first playoff game the tennis program has had in the last seven years, isn't usually a high priority for most coaches, but Haas thinks that it's important.
 
"Having that balance between the laid back style and when it's game time," Haas said about his coaching style. "Being able to kind of switch over and having the players respect that relationship is important."
 
Part of what makes this so effective is the culture Haas has built at ESU. Turning the team into a family has been vital to their success. Not every family is always going to get along the best all the time, but they'll always be there to support each other. 
 
Building this culture goes all the way back to recruiting. Getting the best players is a goal of every coach, but how they fit with the team is just as important. The biggest factor in bringing in a player for Haas is to make sure they have the right personality to fit the culture that he has established in his two years at ESU. 
 
His openness with the recruits about his plan for the future of the program and the success that the team was able to reach last season has helped this season's newcomers get excited about coming into ESU.
 
"It was kind of weekly, one after the other," Haas explained when talking about how last season's performance excited the recruits. "They were super excited, sending messages last spring when we would break a record. 'I'm so excited to be there in August, I can't wait to be part of the team.'"
 
The first-year Warriors have big shoes to fill as they were all brought in to help in the process of replacing the talent that has since graduated, such as Beladova and Boyer-Vidal. While the roster has become much deeper with talent that can bring in those crucial No. 5 or 6 wins that can be the determining factor in winning a close match, Haas admits that the top of the lineup is going to be banking on the players who have already been through a collegiate season.
 
"At the top of the lineup, we're really relying on some of those players who have that one season under their belt," Haas stated. "What we tried to make up for the lack of having that really, really solid player at the top of the lineup is bringing in some players who give us a little more depth."
 
One of these players is Stefanovic. She was brought in last year to be the teams No.1 but a partial knee tear on the second day of practice elevated Beladova to that spot as Stefanovic found her role as No. 2. Though still learning how to play at the top of the lineup, the team and the coaching staff believe in her ability to fill this position and contribute to a successful season.
 
Jenna Kastell, a transfer from Western New Mexico University, is another player who's expected to be a huge impact player. Haas acknowledges that last year the team struggled in doubles play, but he expects Kastell to be a key part in improving that part of the team. 
 
The expectation from Haas is that Kastell and all four freshmen will see the court this spring. Audrey Conover is one freshman believed to have a large positive effect on the team as she is likely to play within the top three in each match.
 
It's easy to see that this team is extremely young. With eight players on the roster being underclassmen, these athletes have a lot of room for growth and development even during the season. Though the team ended the fall with a 3-3 record, Haas isn't worried about what that means for the rest of the season.
 
"What we did last fall, honestly, to me, was a little bit scary heading into the spring, and then we had a record-breaking spring last year, so I don't think they're directly related," Haas stated. "The biggest thing we're noticing is that the team is very young, so I think what we're looking forward to is watching them grow as players and also individuals."
 
This sentiment is one that can bring a lot of motivation to a team. There have been months between the team's last match and the first game of the spring season, which is a lot of time for this team to improve. Even the time between the start of the season and when the conference matches start, Haas sees it as a time to make improvements.
 
This isn't just a team looking to grow. These Warriors are looking to have an even better season than they did last year. Just missing out on the NCAA tournament by one match, the team now knows what is required to make the postseason. 
 
"A lot of the goals we have are steps towards that bigger goal we have of getting the at-large bid to regionals," Coach Haas explained. "I think our main goal and focus is revenge against a team like Bloomsburg and then to get to the NCAA tournament."
 
Bloomsburg is one of the key matches for ESU, mostly because the team hasn't had a win against the Huskies since 1977. California (Pa.) is another match with huge implications on the PSAC playoffs, as they reside on the Western side of the conference, and Millersville has a win over them. The Warriors will be playing against Millersville as well, so splitting wins between the teams could take ESU's playoff fate out of its hands. Similar to Bloomsburg, West Chester is a historically successful team against ESU women's tennis. Last year, the Warriors beat them for the first time in 15 years, and they'll be looking to start a new winning streak with a win over them this year.
 
"If we had beaten Bloomsburg or Salem last year, we would have been the last team in for regionals, so that's kind of our main focus this year, although it would be nice to break more records," said Haas. "I have faith in the players we have that they can step into those higher roles."
 
The Warriors kick off the spring season on Friday with a trip to Chestertown, Md., facing Washington College at 2:30 p.m.