UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.-- The Penn State women's tennis team has named two student-athletes as captains for the 2018-19 season, head coach Chris Cagle announced.
The Nittany Lions will be led by the junior duo of Shannon Hanley (Kensington, Md.) and Samantha Smith (Cary, N.C.).
"This year's team has been cohesive and working hard to push each other every day to get better," said head coach Chris Cagle. "Shannon Hanley and Samantha Smith have been selected to lead our team as captains this year. At the end of the day we are a team of 10 individuals that are working to make the sum of the parts more than the sum of the individuals. The leadership aspect from both Shannon and Samantha as well as the entire team will make a big impact on the enjoyment of our journey this year as well as our success on the court."
Smith is off to a blazing start this fall, with a record of 10-3 in singles matches. In her sophomore campaign, she led the team in singles wins in the spring. Additionally, she defeated No. 110 Asuka Kawai of Illinois, 6-4, 6-2.
Hanley has competed in one tournament this fall at the ITA Regionals in Lynchburg, Va. Last spring, in her sophomore season, she clinched a 4-3 victory over the Wisconsin Badgers with a 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 win over MaryAnn Rompf.
As a doubles duo last spring, Hanley and Smith knocked-off No. 48 Daniela Novak and Sasha Belaya of Illinois, 7-6 (7-5).
When asked how this team will gel together with the leadership from Hanley and Smith, Cagle commented on their different, but complementary styles.
"Both Shannon and Samantha lead in their own individual way, which I think will be an asset to our team this year. They know that as captains they are held to a high standard while also helping others on the team to lead in their own ways as well."
The Nittany Lions will finish out their fall season at the Kitty Harrison Invitational hosted by UNC in Chapel Hill, N.C. from Nov. 2-4.
Keep up with the Penn State women's tennis team at GoPSUsports.com. For continued updates throughout the year, make sure to `like' our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewten and follow our twitter @pennstateWTEN.
