In 2007, she had the best Mid-American Conference singles record in school history.
In 2008, she was named to the Academic All-MAC team for the second year in a row.
So far in 2009, she has a 5-0 singles record in the spring season, but senior Stefanie Menoff tries not to pay attention to her personal record.
“When I play, I am out there to win for the team,” Menoff said. “The team record is much more important to me then my individual record. We need to do well as a team in order to win. One person does not win or lose a match, we do it together.”
Coach Penny Dean recalls several of Menoff’s matches that stand out in her mind.
“Stefanie has been a huge contributor for three and a half years. Every match we could count on her for a ‘W’ no matter who we played,” Dean said. “I remember at Xavier her freshmen year the score was tied 3-3 and it came down to her match.
“She calmly executed her shots under pressure and proceeded to beat Sara Potts 6-4 in the third, winning the match for BG. That is a lot of pressure.”
When it comes to pressure, Menoff says it doesn’t usually get to her too much during matches.
“As far as the pressure, I know that I have my teammates there cheering me on and supporting me, and that takes all the nerves and jitters away,” Menoff said.
Menoff’s match this season against the University of Cincinnati also stands out in Dean’s mind as one of the players’ best college matches.
“She really hit out in the Cincinnati match against an opponent better than most she sees at the No. 5 spot,” Dean said. “Stef ran down more balls than I have ever seen her get and was pumped up in a positive manner. She wasn’t playing ‘afraid to lose’, which is great.”
Menoff also feels the match against Cincinnati’s Safiyya Ismail was one of her strongest.
“I knew that it was going to be a tough match going into it; she is a good player,” Menoff said. “When I saw the line-up for the day I knew that I was going to have to step up my game. I think that the match went so well because our games matched well and I was able to bring out the best of my game that day.”
Dean also views Menoff as a leader to the team, both on and off the court.
“Stef is a prime example of a responsible student athlete,” Dean said. “She has always shined academically. Last year she was a finalist for the Falcon Club Junior Scholar-Athlete Award. She has been on the Dean’s list every semester.”
Her decision to attend the University was made after visiting the school.
“When I came to Bowling Green for a visit I felt comfortable with the town, and I loved the college atmosphere,” Menoff said. “I knew that I would enjoy going to college here.”
Menoff is an early childhood education major who just finished her student teaching this past fall.
“I did my student teaching in a kindergarten classroom, and I am hoping to get a job for the coming academic year in a similar setting,” Menoff said. “I also plan on continuing my education by getting my master’s degree.”
After Menoff graduates, Dean says that it will be difficult to see her go.
“Those are some tough shoes to fill,” Dean said. “Stef has been an amazing asset to BGSU tennis and BGSU as an academic institution also.
“This year she is one of our best doubles players, even with limited experience. [She has] great hands and a lefty serve and overhead. [It will be] very hard to replace her.”
For news, notes and opinions on all BG sports, check out www.bgnewssports.com.
Contact sports reporter Morgan Carlson at [email protected].
