West Windsor, N.J. -- According to Marc Vecchiolla, head coach for women's tennis since 1997, the season just ended was one of his best coaching experiences ever - and the team didn't win a match.

"These women, some of whom were beginners at tennis, showed a tremendous amount of progress in the course of the season and had as much fun as any team I can remember," he said. "They all had wonderful attitudes. I took just as much joy coaching this team as I have national champions." (The MCCC women's tennis program has won four national titles under Vecchiolla.)

Vecchiolla recalls that the roster was uncertain at the start of the school year. "I didn't even know if we would have a team." And then along came this unexpected group of highly motivated athletes who truly cared about improving their games - with less emphasis on winning. Vecchiolla reports that at the start of the season, they were losing matches by large margins. By the end, the margins had lessened significantly. "And there was no pouting with this group," Vecchiolla maintains.

Katie Courtney, in the no. 1 spot, faced the toughest challenge by playing the region's best competition. "She improved tremendously by playing no. 1," Vecchiolla notes, already anticipating that next year she will meet with far greater success. Rachel Young, at the no. 5 position, was the "quintessential team player," combining a positive outlook with the drive to return every ball.

With a regular season record of 0-6, the women finished fourth at the Region 19 tournament, which was held at Gloucester County College Oct. 15-17. One late addition to the roster, Alison Noll, added excitement at the tail end of the season as the Region 19 winner at no. 1 singles.

In addition to Courtney, Young and Noll, other team members included Melanie Hunter, Victoria DeBlasio, Terelle Womble, Alicia Monticchio and Elvira Turganova.

Both coach and players are clearly hooked. Vecchiolla has announced that he is adding a spring season for this squad, to run concurrently with the men's tennis season. ""With a couple more months of training, they will be even better. They are up for it. The only pouting came when the season ended," Vecchiolla says.

With all members of this year's team planning to return in 2011, and the addition of some new players, "we could well be at the top of the heap next year," he predicts.

Vecchiolla was assisted by Barb Pleva and Ralph Bencivengo.