Caroline Lay Class: Senior Hometown: Brisbane, Australia Last College: Mt. Alvernia Birthdate: 05/24/1983 Experience: 3L Major: Kinesiology

Fall 2003: "A" singles flight consolation champion at the Bronco Invitational...won three of four matches along with teammate Sarah Andrews to take home the doubles third place spot at the Wolverine Cup..."A" singles flight Champion at the Spartan Cup after not dropping a single set...invited to compete at ITA Midwest Championship in the singles main draw and in doubles.

Spring 2003: Overall singles record of 14-15...competed at the Spartans' No. 1 singles position...went 10-6 with Keri Thompson as the No.1 doubles team including a seven-match winning streak...tied for team lead with 11 dual match singles wins, and had a team best 16 doubles wins.

Spring 2002: Led the Spartans in overall wins (41), singles wins (25), singles winning percentage (.714), overall Big Ten wins (10) and Big Ten singles wins (seven)...beat Christine Nolan of Michigan 3-6, 6-3,6-4 (3/28).

Fall 2001: Was 8-4 in singles during the fall season....owned a seven-match winning streak in singles...reached the finals of the Blue Flight at the Wolverine Fall Classic and teamed with freshman Dora Vastag to reach the Round of 32 in doubles at the ITA Regional Championships.

2000-2001: Was tied for first with doubles partner Trine-Lise Juliussen for most doubles victories with 10....was 16-26 overall in singles....had one singles and two doubles victories in the Big Ten.

At Mt. Alvernia: Attended for five years ...competed in tennis under coaches Wayne Hampson and Dale Collings at Ashley Cooper's Tennis Academy (the same Academy and coaches as MSU assistant coach Brett Page)...winner of Australian National Championships including the 1997 Australian Hard court Doubles Championships...Australian National Doubles Finalist 1997 and 1999...named by Tennis Australia to the 1998 and 1999 All-Australia honor team and the All-Queen Island State high school team in 1997, 1998, and 1999...elected senior class vice president (2000) ...competed in cross-country, indoor cricket, indoor soccer, and basketball.

Personal: Born on May 24, 1983...daughter of Jack and Mary Lay ...has aspirations to be a high school physical education teacher.

Coach Bauer's Comments:

"A quiet and strong leader, Caroline Lay sets a great example for her new teammates. In only one semester at MSU Caroline has improved more than most players do in their four year collegiate career. Her hard work and determination this summer have improved her footwork and matchplay tremendously. Always raising the bar by setting new goals for herself, Caroline is the type of competitor that a team is built around, and the type that is always attacking each new day with the ambition to play better tennis.

"Caroline is an exceptional athletic talent whose eye- hand coordination is impeccable. This is most easily seen when Caroline is at the net. Consider Caroline's experience as an Australian National Doubles Champion and her passion for tennis and you have one half of a top NCAA doubles team. Caroline has the rare ability to take over a doubles match. As a singles player Caroline is playing sharp, solid tennis. Smart choices combined with some flashy footwork and shotmaking make Caroline capable of becoming a force in future NCAA National singles rankings. I feel Caroline is capable of becoming a top player in the Big Ten Conference and qualifying for the NCAA Championships in both singles and doubles. Admired by her teammates and respected by the staff, Caroline has a personality which is a pleasure to coach."