By Tyler Hotz, App State Strategic Communications
As part of our celebration of 50 years in women's sports at Appalachian State, appstatesports.com is publishing a regular feature throughout 2018-19 on some of the top women's sports moments in school history.
August Feature: 1986-87 Women's Basketball
September Feature: Birth of App State Field Hockey
October Feature: 1986 Women's Cross Country
November Feature: 50 Years Strong, The Heart Beats on
December Feature: 50 Years in Women's Sports: 2018 Volleyball
BOONE, N.C. – As women's tennis head coach Blake Mosley enters his third year at Appalachian, he continues to stress the same message to his players: "master the basics."
After a 5-19 campaign in his first season, Mosley's squad locked in to his message. The Mountaineers responded in 2018 with 11 victories, the most triumphs the program has captured since the 2012-13 season.
In the postseason, Appalachian secured its first victory in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament with a 4-1 win over Texas State. The Mountaineers also came within a few points of ousting Georgia State, the eventual conference champion.
"The big goal would be to get at least one or two steps farther and hopefully win the conference this year," Mosley said. "I feel like we're right there level-wise with the rest of the teams in the conference."
Before Mosley's squad embarked on a promising 2018 spring season, the third-year head coach had to rebuild his roster. Mosley lost three seniors at the end of the 2017 season, leading to a signing class of five freshmen, three of which came from outside of the United States.
The three international signees from that class, MarÍa José Zacarias (Mexico), Teodora Sevo (Serbia) and Sandra Anglesjö (Sweden), all contributed in their first full season at Appalachian. Zacarias won 11 matches in the No. 1 spot in the lineup, while Sevo registered a team-high 13 victories in 2018. Anglesjö also finished third on the team with six wins in doubles competition.
Mosley has used his connections from his prior playing and coaching career in Austria and Switzerland to widen his recruiting base. He also works with assistant coach Jack Maddocks, an Australia native, and men's tennis coach Craig Schwartz to pinpoint international talent.
"For me, having other internationals on the team is really important because we can understand each other easily and form special friendships," Zacarias said. "My game here has changed in a good way because playing tennis in college is really competitive and makes you want to get better. Coach Mosley has taught me many things that have made me grow as a player."
Aside from the team's young, international talent, Appalachian's seniors have also found their role during Mosley's tenure. Seniors Heidi Swope and Rebecca Morse arrived at App State before Mosley was hired, seeing only 12 team victories in their first two seasons.
Morse and Swope both secured pivotal victories throughout the 2018 spring season, helping propel Appalachian to a six-win improvement from 2017. The six-win increase was also tied for the Sun Belt's most significant turnaround.
"We really just focused on working together as a team and all being in it for the same goal," Swope said. "That was just a big mentality difference, and last year, we had a big improvement in our record and it was because everyone said 'alright, let's do this.' We're here to win."
While the Mountaineers entered the 2018 spring season with a young roster, all seven players on the 2019 roster have at least one fall season of on-court experience. Three seniors in Swope, Morse and senior transfer, Jeannez Daniel, anchor the roster alongside Zacarias, Sevo, Anglesjö and redshirt-freshman Kate Earnhardt.
Because of playing on a quick surface and at a higher altitude, Mosley has emphasized an attacking philosophy. Combined with each player's strengths, Mosley's squad has embraced a competitive outlook to each match and practice.
"I feel that my style of tennis has changed a lot since I've been here, especially because I've been playing a lot of doubles," Sevo said. "My volleys have improved a lot. I mean of course there is always stuff to work on and get better, but when you know that you can trust your volleys, it gives you power so then you just go for it."
As the 2019 spring season kicks off, App State will get the chance to evaluate its roster against all 10 conference opponents. After opening the season with 11 non-conference matchups, the Mountaineers will conclude the season with 10 straight conference matches for the first time in program history.
In the non-conference stretch, the Mountaineers will be tested against seven in-state opponents. Appalachian dominated in-state foes in 2018, going 6-1 with victories over UNC Wilmington, Charlotte, Campbell, UNC Asheville, North Carolina Central and UNC Greensboro. The Black and Gold also enjoyed a non-conference stretch where they captured seven victories in eight opportunities, winning 45 of 56 available team points during the impressive run.
With a roster full of experienced players, the Mountaineers are primed to take another step in 2019. The renewed energy in the App State women's tennis program will continue as Mosley and his team continue to "master the basics" in high-pressure situations throughout this season.
"When we are on the court, every one of us wants to give our best and set a good example for others, so everyone has some mentality of leadership," Zacarias said. "At the end of the day, we have the same goals and we all want what's best for the team."
