Introduction
The 2015 season marks a year of transition for the Point Loma women's tennis team. Coach Curt Wheeler takes over at the helm of the Sea Lions after coach Rich Hills retired following 25 years as the head of the women's team. Wheeler brought in five new student-athletes, a new approach and a new attitude as he looks to put his own stamp on the Sea Lions.
 
PLNU returns five student-athletes, which includes Hillary Ramage, Kirsty Mountain, Regina von Koch and Preethika Venugopal, whom all started at least 16 matches for the Sea Lions last season. He also brought in freshmen Madeline Cunningham, Nikki Newell and Justine Phillips, sophomore Hannah Chiu along with transfer Jen Weissmann. Cassidy Siegfried will also return this season as a sophomore.
 
"We lost three impact seniors that played high in our lineup from last year and it is really impossible to replace them and their experience," explained Wheeler, "but with the new faces we added and the returners, we have a great dynamic that has grown more this year.
 
"We have been growing together as a team," Wheeler continued. "The returning ladies have done a great job including the newcomers into the team and giving them the best chance to excel."
 
Practice
Point Loma had to hit the ground running after Christmas break to prepare for its season opener on Friday, Feb. 6 against Azusa Pacific, because the team did not get the chance to play all together and find their rhythm during the fall.
 
"We had lots of injuries in the fall so we did not have lots of court time or chances to practice doubles," Wheeler explained. "These last three weeks have been an accelerated training camp."
 
Goals
One of the most important things coach Wheeler has tried to install into the team this year has been their approach and attitude to each practice and each match.
 
"Being mentally tough on the court is our main goal," explained Wheeler. "Controlling the stuff you can control.
 
"We always talk about A.C.E.," he continued. "Every time we step on the court we want to own our Attitude, our Concentration and our Effort. These are three areas we have complete control over no matter what the opponent does, what spectators do, how windy it is or the temperature is. If we are having a constantly positive attitude and our concentration is on the match and point at hand, and our effort level is at 100%; that for us is the team's biggest goal."
 
"I want to walk up to them at the end of the match and ask 'how did you do today?' and they say that 'I controlled the things I could control,'" he added.
 
Strengths
Coach Wheeler has liked the development of the team this offseason and believes that depth will be the Sea Lions' biggest strength.
"We are very deep," Wheeler said. "We are solid from spots 1-6 and in doubles from 1-3. There is not a lot of difference from the top of our lineup to the bottom. Our depth will be our strength." 
 
The 2015 Sea Lions
Here is an inside look at the depth of the PLNU and the quotes on each of the 2015 Sea Lion student-athletes from coach Wheeler.
 
Hannah Chiu, 5-0, So., San Diego, Calif. (Rancho Bernardo HS)
Coach Wheeler quote: "Hannah brings great energy and a great attitude to the court. Her attitude has given this team perceptive of how lucky they are to be members of the PLNU tennis team. She is a consistent player from the baseline and is very quick."
 
Madeline Cunningham, 5-9, Fr., Litchfield Park, Ariz. (Millennium HS)
Coach Wheeler quote: "She has the chance to be a big contributor. She can do it all well. She is good on the baseline but always looking for chances to be aggressive at the net."
 
Kirsty Mountain, 5-8, Jr. Mission Viejo, Calif. (Mission Viejo HS)
Coach Wheeler quote: "One of the most consistent tennis players I have seen. She is very smart and moves well. She has the attitude that she is going to make you beat her and she will never beat herself. She will give nothing away for free."
 
Nikki Newell, 5-7, Fr., Las Vegas, Nev. (Odyssey Charter HS)
Coach Wheeler quote: "Nikki has the opportunity to be a top player for us. She has a very strong serve and a very strong forehand. When she is using that serve and that forehand she can really dictate play and control the points."
 
Justine Phillips, 5-3, Fr., Anaheim, Calif. (Canyon HS)
Coach Wheeler quote: "She is a sneaky player. She is consistent from the baseline but is also talented from the net. She is fearless at the net and isn't afraid of anything." 
 
Hillary Ramage, 5-9, Jr., Encinitas, Calif. (La Costa Canyon HS)
Coach Wheeler quote: "She has an aggressive baseline game and a very good serve. She also has a forehand she can control points with, and when she can do that consistently she can play with anyone."
 
Cassidy Siegfried, 5-1, So., Murrieta, Calif. (Murrieta HS)
Coach Wheeler quote: "She is an all-court player that likes to be aggressive and dictate play from the baseline. She can direct the court from sideline to sideline with an aggressive shot and hits the ball as hard as anyone on this team."
 
Preethika Venugopal, 5-8, Sr., Cerritos, Calif. (Cerritos HS)
Coach Wheeler quote: "Pree is a very solid player and our captain. She does not make many errors and is very comfortable being patient and playing the defensive style. But at the same time is very good at stepping in and being aggressive as well. I describe her as a very smart singles player that is patient in what she does. She is a quiet leader that leads by example. The best leaders are the ones that lead with their actions."
 
Regina von Koch, 5-7, So., Stockholm, Sweden (Nacka Gymnasium)
Coach Wheeler quote: "Regina moves really well and can get a lot of balls back in play. This year she has improved on being more aggressive and dictating the play. She has transformed her game into being an all-court player."
 
Jen Weissmann, 5-8, Jr., Loveland, Colo.
Coach Wheeler quote: "She plays an aggressive baseline style game. She is always going to the ball and making things happen rather than let the ball come to her. When she is playing at her best she is controlling most of the points and making the opponent feel like they are at her will."
 
Conclusion
As with any change excitement surrounds the 2015 Point Loma women's tennis team. If the ladies can take the lessons of A.C.E. from coach Wheeler and apply it to the court they should be in for a successful season.