While injuries might have shaken up the middle of the Wisconsin women’s tennis lineup so far this year, things are still the same at the top as they have been for the past five years. Fifth-year senior Shana McElroy is leading the Badgers again this year, getting off to a 3-0 singles start, and a 2-1 start in doubles. McElroy’s strong play is not surprising–she has been a top player since her freshman year, when she led the team with 23 victories, and was Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Year.

UW women’s tennis is off to a fast start this year, jumping out to an early 3-0 record so far. The play of McElroy, coupled with that of some of the less experienced Badgers, has been key since injuries have sidelined several players already.

“Lexi Goldin and Kaylan Caiati [have] stepped up and done a great job, because we are definitely nursing some injuries and some people who would normally be in our lineup [aren’t],” tenth-year coach Patti Henderson said.

For the Badgers, coping with their injuries thus far has been a little easier with a star like McElroy playing well on their side. McElroy has had to expand her role as a leader, a role Coach Henderson says she has embraced.

“Her most natural leadership ability is definitely by example by her work ethic, both and on and off the court,” Coach Henderson said. “In terms of being more outspoken or vocal, that has been something she has developed over the years. Everyone on the team knows that she puts in the time, and respects her, and when she speaks she will be listened to.”

“I am definitely having to step up as one of the leaders,” McElroy said of her expanding duty. “It’s tough now because two of our best freshmen are injured, and that is hurting us. We have a lot of young freshmen who don’t really know what college team tennis is about. I am just trying to teach them their responsibilities and how to interact with other team members and to show through my practice how I think you need [to work] to be a college athlete.”

Dealing with injuries is not new territory for McElroy, who was a medical redshirt her sophomore year.

“I had an elbow injury. It just wouldn’t go away and kept hurting, and it got to be March and I hadn’t played a match yet,” she said of her injury. “It gave me a chance to sit back and appreciate tennis and how much I love competing and made me that much more excited to be here the next three years.”

It is McElroy’s love of competition that has allowed her to not only be one of the Badgers’ best players, but one of the best players in the conference.

“I think one of her greatest attributes is her competitiveness,” Coach Henderson said. “She is just a great competitor. She hates to lose, whether it is on the practice court or in a match. Her competitiveness is by far one of her best assets.”

McElroy has dominated the competition so far this season, losing no singles set yet. Her determination to outlast her opponents is drawing serious dividends for the Badgers.

“I rely upon being really consistent and thinking I am going [to be] tougher than my opponent — that I can stay out there longer and I can hit one more ball,” McElroy said of her strategy on the court.

Achievement on the court is only the beginning of McElroy’s success at UW. McElroy has been exemplary academically also, as evidenced by her three Academic All-Big Ten awards.

“Academics are definitely at the top of the priority list. I am kind of a perfectionist in every aspect of my life, not just tennis,” she said.

The season is young, but with UW off to a fast start McElroy is already looking ahead to a prosperous season.

“We are hoping for a big year,” she said. “The Big Ten season this year is going to be like the last couple of years — a very tight race.”

McElroy herself is hoping that she personally and her team as a whole can keep their momentum, possibly extending her college career as long as possible with a post-season berth.

“Hopefully we can start playing well in March and April when it comes time for the Big Ten tournament, and hopefully we will play well there and make NCAAs,” she said.

In her final year as a Badger tennis player Shana McElroy is looking to go out the way she started: on top.