April 14, 2004

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Palo Alto Online

A perfect fit for this duo

by Keith Peters

One is a senior, a link to the past. One is a freshman, a link to the future. Together, they are a big reason why the Stanford women's tennis team is undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the nation.

Lauren Barnikow and Theresa Logar. Senior and freshman. Barnikow has been a part of two NCAA team titles. Logar is seeking her first championship rings, hoping it will be the first of many.

While the right-handed, 5-foot-6 Barnikow hails from Woodbridge, N.J., and the left-handed, 5-9 Logar is from Rochester Hills, Mich., their worlds are intertwined in undefeated records and similar goals.

Barnikow is 21-0 in dual matches this season. Logar is 20-0. The top-ranked Cardinal is 21-0 heading into key Pacific-10 Conference matches this weekend at UCLA and USC, with a chance to wrap up a 17th straight regular-season title.

Stanford coach Lele Forood is not at all surprised by the perfect records turned in by Barnikow and Logar.

"If they were playing No. 1 or No. 2, then I'd be surprised," Forood said. "At No. 4 and 5 it's certainly doable."

Since 1975, there have been only eight players who compiled undefeated dual-match records - Debbie Graham accomplished the feat twice. During those eight years, Stanford won six NCAA titles and finished second twice.

So, the precedent has been set. Should Barnikow and/or Logar go undefeated, expect the Cardinal to be playing in the NCAA finals next month and, perhaps, winning the 14th national crown in the program's history.

While the competition isn't as tough at No. 4 and 5 singles as it is at No. 1 and 2, Forood said being undefeated is still difficult to achieve.

"Mentally, you have to be up for every match," she said.

Barnikow knows full well. As a freshman, she took an undefeated dual-match record into the final regular-season match (against UCLA) and lost. She went on to drop another match in the NCAA tournament and finished 24-2.

Stanford sophomore Alice Barnes was 25-0 last season and had a two-year record of 42-0 before finally falling in a match against UCLA two weekends ago.

Barnikow struggled a bit last weekend during Stanford's 7-0 wins over visiting Arizona and Arizona State. She played No. 2 singles last year (and went 15-6) and No. 3 her sophomore year (going 14-4).

"The girls at No. 2, they have to be on their game," Barnikow said. "At No. 4, you have a little breathing room, if you don't have your best game that day."

But is it great to be undefeated right now?

"No," Barnikow said. "I'd rather take my lumps now and be undefeated in the NCAA tournament."

Few have been laying lumps on Barnikow this season. In addition to her perfect dual-match record (she's 29-4 in all her singles matches), Barnikow also is one-half of the nation's No. 1 doubles team that includes junior Erin Burdette. That tandem is 18-1 this season and has helped Stanford win 44 of its past 45 matches.

Barnikow attributes her success this season to a couple of things.

"I actually feel like I'm in the best shape of my life," she said. "And I'm playing my best. I'm also playing smarter. I'm handling the tough situations better."

In her match Friday against Arizona's Kelly Perry, Barnikow dropped the first set (3-6), rallied in the second (6-2) and then won a 10-point tiebreaker to remain perfect. Against ASU on Saturday, Barnikow again struggled a bit before posting a 7-5, 7-5 win over Sabrina Capannolo.

Barnikow points to her maturity as reason for her improved mental toughness.

"I'm learning the mental part better," she admitted.

Being more fit also has allowed her to hang tough on the final points.

"It definitely gives you a mental edge, knowing you can get to that next ball," she said.

While she admits to not being as talented as other players, her work ethic and the fact she believes more in herself now has allowed her to win the key points this season.

That's why Stanford has allowed only nine points this season, with the closest match a 5-2 win over then-No. 7 Washington in Seattle.

Logar also has been a big reason behind that.

"I'm glad I'm holding my own and producing my share of W's," Logar said. "It's a great experience being undefeated. It's just an honor."

There was a time, however, that Logar wondered if she'd even be playing this season.

"I was in a slump," said Logar, who had mononucleosis from March to July in 2003. "I only took off about 10 days (during her illness), which wasn't too smart. I went to Spain on our senior trip, which didn't promote a healthy return."

Things got so bad for Logar that she figured her role at Stanford would be very limited.

"I was wondering, maybe they'd make me the manager," she joked.

Things turned around for Logar when she received a wild card into the USTA Girls 18 Super National Hardcourt Championships in San Jose last August. She wound up winning the prestigious tournament, which earned her a berth into the main draw of the 2003 U.S. Open.

Despite that achievement, Logar still didn't have great expectations upon arriving at Stanford.

"I didn't come in expecting anything," she said. Logar was just happy to be at Stanford, a place she had visited before. She just couldn't believe it the first time she stepped onto the courts.

"It never hit me that Court 6 was going to be MY court," she said. "Everything has worked out better than I ever could have expected. Every day is a joy."

And playing for the nation's No. 1 team?

"That's a big bonus," Logar said.

Logar likely could have played anywhere else in the country, and certainly been the big gun on a small-caliber team. She wouldn't have it.

"It was great," she said of being recruited by Stanford. "They wanted me to come and be a part of a national championship team."

Logar didn't mind earning her role. She knew sophomore and defending NCAA champion Amber Liu would be No. 1, and that Barnes and Burdette would round out the top three. She lost her match with Barnikow, but beat senior Emilia Anderson. That pretty much set the lineup, one that has been chugging along all season like a steamroller.

And Logar's secret for being undefeated at this point?

"I put arsenic in the other girls' water the night before," she said. "Just kidding!"

Actually, Logar just goes out and competes as hard as she hits the ball. Thus far, it has worked perfectly.

"I just go out and fight to the death," she said. "I think my secret is winning the last point. Yep, that's my motto."

And it has produced a 20-0 record this season.

"I couldn't ask for anything more," Logar said.

Neither could Forood.

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