PVCC Puma Press: May 2005

In January of 2005, Maija Vilce decided to move to Arizona, with her high school friend and PVCC soccer player Liana Schmidt. While living with Schmidt, Vilce was surrounded by soccer players and other sports team members. Whether Vilce felt left out or just wanted to get back into sports, she decided to join the women’s tennis team.

Vilce said, “I honestly didn’t think I would be playing tennis in college.” The PVCC women’s tennis team had been recruiting anyone they could so that they would have a full team in the spring season. Vilce, as well as three other players, decided to take advantage of the team’s situation.

PVCC's women’s head tennis coach, Barbara Pajaanen had a difficult time recruiting for this year’s roster. Pajaanen has more than 12 years experience coaching tennis and is coaching with her husband, PVCC men’s head tennis coach Jim Pajaanen. The Paajanen's son Aaron, is the assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s tennis teams at PVCC.

Coach Barbara Pajaanen said that in the fall semester six players were set to fill the spring tennis team but two were lost for academic reasons. This left the team two players short of the required roster for competition. Coach Pajaanen, the remaining players, and the PVCC Athletic staff did every thing they could to recruit players in such a limited time. Along with flyers, the team set up a table in student union to try and draw the attention of anyone interested.

Bonnie Jackson, PVCC women’s tennis player, said, “We would try and talk to anyone interested but we really weren’t getting anywhere.”

Finally, the team caught a break when four “rotating” players joined the team. Coach Pajaanen said, “We still had the four from the fall and four other girls kind of rotated in and out to help field a full team for each tournament.”

PVCC soccer standouts Aubrey Kerlin and Kim Wechsler were two of the new members to join the team. Kerlin said, “I decided to play because I thought it would be fun to learn.”

Wechsler added, “I used to play and saw an opportunity to learn new skills.”

The pair had very little experience and was basically, counting on their natural athletic ability. Coach Pajaanen said, “They came in with a great work ethic and good physical condition and I really appreciated that.”

The team’s number two player, Bonnie Jackson, also appreciated the new players. “We needed extra bodies and they were willing to come out and really improve,” said Jackson.

Coach Pajaanen also saw the improvement throughout the season. Pajaanen said, “Aubrey and Kim are amazing athletes. I just wish I could have had them from the beginning.”

Since the four players were coming in to the season late, they really needed to learn as much as they could in the limited amount of time that they had. In order to learn new tennis skills, the four had to depend on their teammates. Vilce, one of the “rotating” players, said, “At first I was skeptical because I had never played but the other players would help by telling me strategies that worked for them.”

The more skilled players helped their new teammates by giving them advice and encouragement. Wechsler said, “Everyone was really understanding and encouraged us by telling us we were quick learners.”

Jackson showed the teams unity by commenting, “We all wanted them to get better so we did what we could to help.”

While the team, as a whole, wasn’t as successful as they would have liked, they did have some success. The team’s top two players, Megan Akin and Bonnie Jackson, won many of their matches.

The team was helping build a new tennis program at PVCC. Coach Pajaanen said, “I really just wanted this season to establish a strong and attractive program. I hoped we could lay a foundation to help get our program on its feet.”

One thing Coach Pajaanen did establish this season was a team. Some of the players joined the team for different reasons, some were less experienced, and some were more successful. However, they worked together every day in practice, encouraging each other, sharing tips and advice, and trying to help everyone improve. They became a team.

Coach Pajaanen realizes how important a team is. Pajaanen said, “Being on a team really teaches players consideration for others, discipline and accountability.”

The players also understand how great the team experience can be. Kerlin and Wechsler agreed, “You can’t be afraid to ask for help because your coaches and team will be willing to help.”

The team saw a lot of improvement and some success. Fortunately, they were able to remember one of the most important lessons in sports, have fun. Jackson said, “Even if it is really hard at first, it’s worth it. You just have to remember to have fun.”