Rachel Rosman '11 did not take long to assert herself on the women's tennis team, earning the No. 1 singles slot by the end of her first season. And this season, Rosman has taken yet another step forward. With her dominating 6-0 performance at last weekend's University Athletic Association Championships at home, Rosman has proven herself to be one of the best all-around players in the University Athletic Association. Her performance against Washington University in St. Louis sophomore Karina Kocemba was evidence of her continued growth. After Rosman won the first set 6-1, Rosman and Kocemba alternated points throughout the second set, with Rosman taking a 5-4 lead. Rosman was able to close out the set and take the match 6-1, 6-4, something she recognized she has struggled with at times this season.

"It was a difficult lead because she could have easily won the next game and forced me to play to 7-5," Rosman said. "I've been having trouble closing out, especially against some one as good as [Kocemba]. I was happy I played aggressively to close that match out."

Coach Ben Lamanna attributed her success to her on-court maturity.

"The only thing that bogged her down in the past were her emotions during her matches. Now, as a competitor, she keeps a very level head," Lamanna said.

On the court, Rosman has developed a stronger offensive game. Rosman and Lamanna both said Rosman tended to hit most of her shots at the baseline in the past, but Rosman has started to attack her opponents' short shots more aggressively.

"Over the course of the season, I've been working on working my way into the court and stepping in on short balls. I used to be a more defensive player, and I've been working on playing more aggressively," Rosman said.

"When she first got here, she hit a lot of great forehands, but she did not take advantage of the next ball that came back," Lamanna said. "Now she has realized that she is getting a lot of short balls because of her forehand, and she's stepping up and attacking the ball. She's developed an all-court game, more of an offensive game where she can finish off points at the net.