June 28, 2006

Carbondale, IL (CSTV U-WIRE) -- SIUC women's tennis experienced sweeping roster changes after last season's 4-15 campaign - coach Rene Vidal's first as a Saluki.

The one consistent thing for the program was Amanda Taillefer, who will be the only returning player for the Salukis.

Taillefer, a junior studying business management from Raleigh, N.C., tied for the team lead in wins in 2006 by compiling a 7-12 record in her second season as a Saluki. Taillefer became more than a player after the season ended, acting as an ambassador for a program experiencing a major overhaul.

The Salukis lost five players - three to graduation and two who left the University - so selling the Salukis was an important duty for Taillefer. Taillefer's work did not go unnoticed by Vidal or Western Illinois University transfer Andrea Courtney.

Courtney credited Taillefer's "bubbly personality" as a selling point for a program looking to reverse a 31-71 slide over the last five seasons.

"She definitely played a huge part in me coming to SIU," said Courtney, a Naperville native. "I'm excited about playing with all the girls and I think Andrea would make a great captain."

While Vidal has not named a team captain yet, Taillefer's efforts made an impression on him.

"She played a very important role in the recruiting process as a student host," Vidal said. "She's kept in touch with our incoming players and she's expressed a real desire to be a leader and to take the program a step further."

Part of that step comes with increased opportunities to move up the Salukis' singles and doubles rotations, though Vidal believes Taillefer found a comfort level last season.

Taillefer played her sophomore season out of the fourth spot in SIU's six-player singles lineup. Taillefer also saw time on the Salukis' No. 2 doubles pairing, finishing with a 2-7 record while playing with graduated senior Zoya Honarmand. Vidal believes Taillefer felt confident in those roles so there may be a 'wait-and-see' approach to her slot on this season's team, especially given Vidal's belief in summer work.

Vidal said off-season training is a key component for improvement and Taillefer is happy to accommodate the wishes of her coach. Taillefer said anything she does over the summer pays dividends once the season starts.

"It's tough but it's good," Taillefer said of the training regimen. "August, the beginning of the fall season, is the hottest time of the year and we have to be ready for that. That's the time to get ready for the spring season."

In addition to strength and conditioning work, Taillefer participates in intercollegiate tennis tournaments back home in Virginia to keep her game sharp. Her previous experience as a Saluki could also help her fill a new role for SIU - as a building block.

"With Amanda having been here and having a good season, we're starting off on the right foot," Vidal said. "I guess in short, for our program, it's a new beginning. We're looking to move in a positive direction and to work hard in achieving our goals."

For Taillefer, staying at SIU was simply the right choice. While some players may have seen the roster changes as an opportunity to bolt, Taillefer stuck it out because she believes Vidal's tutelage would make her a better player.

"I see my game as improving because of Rene," Taillefer said. "He's helpful and a good motivator. I look forward to working with him and I think I can improve my number of wins."

(C) 2006 Daily Egyptian via CSTV U-WIRE