NCAA doubles champ Anundsen joins coaching ranks

Less than a year ago, Sara Anundsen defeated the best of the best in the college tennis world, winning the NCAA doubles championship as a senior at the University of North Carolina. Now, entering her first year of life off the court, Anundsen has gained immediate respect as the new assistant coach for the Princeton women's tennis team.

From her experience playing for a top-10 team throughout her college career, Anundsen knows what it means to win and has the mentality of an NCAA champion.

"She knows exactly what we need to compete at the top level; she's played in that league" senior captain Ivana King said. "Ivy League [schools] don't usually have that."

Anundsen coaches both doubles and singles for the Tigers but feels more knowledgeable about doubles because of her successes as a player. In August, Anundsen and former Tar Heel partner Jenna Long received a wildcard entry into the doubles draw of the 2007 U.S. Open, falling in the first round. Doubles appeal to Anundsen because of the strategy involved, and she has a personal passion for the poaching and movement involved in out-thinking the other team.

In the past, doubles have been a struggle for Princeton. Anundsen's experience should lead to continued improvement in the players' doubles skills, however, as the same key points that guided her to an NCAA championship will surely factor into her coaching repertoire.

The Tigers have been close to the top in recent NCAA competitions, but none of the current players have experienced winning at the championship level. Anundsen, though, has a fervor for victory running through her and knows what it takes to place first.

Anundsen's high standards for the team are in line with those held by head coach Kathy Sell.

"We want the players to believe that they're as good as any team out there," Sell said. "It's not just a matter of hitting forehands and backhands. It's how you carry yourself on the court. It's how you see yourself, and if you see yourself as a winner, the results will take care of themselves."

Anundsen has an insider's understanding of the game of doubles and shares her expansive knowledge with the Tigers through hands-on coaching.

"You see something new about your game that you don't realize and that other people might not have caught," King said of working with Anundsen.

Under Anundsen's instruction, the team is working to gain the stamina and technical agility necessary to thrive at NCAAs this spring.

"[Coaching's] a little different, watching on the sideline and wishing I was out there playing," Anundsen said.

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According to Sell, Anundsen starting coaching at the perfect time. Upon joining the Tigers, Anundsen was greeted by what she described as an "awesome, respectful and hardworking team." Princeton's players appreciate these same qualities in Anundsen as well.

"I'm excited to have someone that good because I can use that," King said. "That can raise your game so far."

Sell noticed almost immediate improvement in the Tigers' performance under Anundsen, but most of all she noticed the immediate admiration and respect the team had for its new coach, especially in regard to doubles.

"The girls are always asking, 'Hey, Sara, am I doing this right?' " Sell said.

Right away, Anundsen noticed ways to improve the Tigers' doubles strategies and skills, and the players embraced her advice from day one. Entering coaching straight from college has helped her connect with the players and understand what the players are going through outside of tennis, including the need to unwind between class and practice.

"We can all relate to her," King said. "She's only a year above me."

Finding such a distinguished coach was initially a challenging task for Sell. For the first few months, because the previous assistant coach was male, only male coaches were considered. But after sifting through the various male applicants, Sell had yet to find a perfect fit.

"I kind of had a realization one afternoon and started considering females," Sell said.

Anundsen was at the top of the list for Sell's desired female coaches, and it was evident that, if given the opportunity, Anundsen could help the Tigers achieve their preseason goal of reaching the NCAA Finals.

"The team wants to be good, so [Anundsen] is able to do her job and know where the players' heads are," Sell said.

One of the main goals that Anundsen has set for the fall is to have the Tigers doing what she calls "playing right." This means teaching the team to be aggressive and play to win.

"Don't play scared or tentative," Anundsen said, explaining her playing philosophy. "Take risks!"

The Tigers' spring season will determine whether they make NCAAs. Throughout the fall, Anundsen wants to focus on fitness and getting in shape to be the most competitive Ivy team in the spring. Anundsen's focus on doubles strategy is particularly important to Princeton's season goals because winning doubles before singles sets a good tone for each match.

"Great champions don't always make good teachers," King said, "but in her case, they definitely do."