Just like a scientist mixes the right chemicals to get an explosive reaction, Miami head women's tennis coach Ray Reppert will be searching for the right mix of experience - five letterwinners returning - and youth - two freshmen - to create a powerful team that can make a run at the top of the Mid-American Conference. Reppert hopes this combination gives the RedHawks what they need to improve on last year's 12-11 record and fifth-place finish in the MAC.

According to Reppert, team chemistry will have to be one of the foundations that this year's squad is built upon. "We're going to have to play better as a team, and like any championship team, chemistry will have to be at its best," said Reppert. "It's going to take a team approach for us to have a good year. Everyone needs to work together, depend on each other and push each other to their limits."

The two veterans in charge of setting this reaction in motion are Reppert's co-captains, senior Ilze Meyer and junior Megan Zimpfer. Meyer, one of the team's most powerful players, missed most of last season with injuries, playing just two matches all season. Her sense of determination and resolve to get back on the court go a long way in motivating her teammates. A versatile weapon, Zimpfer was Miami's utility player last year, spending time anywhere from No. 1 to No. 4 singles and finishing with a 10-11 mark. Miami's captains have already gone a long way in preparing the team for this year, motivating everyone to participate in off-season individual training.

"With the kind of leadership we have, we will have to be persistent. We can beat anyone, but we can't just go out and annihilate them," said Reppert. "There are going to be a lot of close matches, but we have the ability and the confidence to win."

Behind the leadership of its co-captains, Miami has a deep roster of players, including experienced sophomores Nancy Wiegand, Brooke Peyton and Grace Cascarilla. As freshmen last season, the trio competed in 43 singles matches and 45 doubles matches. With all three slotted to play key roles in both singles and doubles play this year, the seasoning gained last season will be crucial to the team's success.

With a void left by the graduations of all-MAC performer Kadija Richards, Catherine Dilley and Erika Echko, who posted a 27-17 mark last season, the RedHawks' freshmen class of Maura Trauernicht and Remy Swain will have to make an immediate impact. Trauernicht brings an impressive set of credentials from Millard North High School in Omaha, Neb., where she posted a record of 84-4 during her career. An all-around athlete, who also earned all-state softball accolades, Trauernicht helped Millard North to back-to-back state championships as a junior and senior.

Swain was just as successful in high school, leading her team to four straight Kentucky regional championships and earning all-state honors.

In a tough conference like the MAC, Coach Reppert knows it will take determined efforts from everyone to have a successful year.

"Looking at the MAC in the last five years, it has become stronger and stronger," Reppert said. "Coaches in the MAC understand that recruiting is what wins and, with the influx of international players, the level of competition has been raised. Teams like Marshall, Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan have gone a long way to improve their squads and are some of the best the MAC has to offer."

The RedHawks' non-conference schedule is set to give Miami some tough challenges early with Indiana, Michigan State, Dayton and Wright State all on the slate. Reppert hopes the high level of competition will prepare the team for its MAC schedule. His motto is "you have to schedule above yourself to get the best out of your people."