Rainey Finds Success in First Year at Washburn

By David Boyce

When Morgan Rainey called Washburn tennis coach Dave Alden about transferring from Drake, it was easy for him to look at her statistics and bio and figure she would be a good fit.

Rainey had plenty of success in high school at Barstow. She finished with a combined singles and doubles record of 56-8 and won a Missouri state doubles title as a senior and was runner-up as a junior.

In her only season at Drake, Rainey was 7-12 playing No. 3 singles, not bad for a freshman getting her first taste of NCAA Division I tennis.

Alden, though, learned a lot more about Rainey's game once he saw her playing for his team.

“The thing I like most that you can't pick up from just results on paper is her tenacity and her ability to craft single's points,” Alden said. “She has such a variety of shots at her disposal that most women players in this conference just don't have. She can win points just about any way possible. That has been a nice surprise.”

From all indications, adapting appears to simply be part of Rainey's personality.

She went to Drake as a Pre-med major.

“That was extremely hard with Division I tennis and taking all these science classes,” Rainey said.

Instead of completely giving up on one or the other or both, Rainey decided to continue to play tennis at the Division II level and stay in a field that helps those who are sick or hurt.

Drake didn't have a nursing program and Washburn has a very good nursing program so she decided to transfer.

It definitely wasn't a case where she was unhappy playing tennis at Drake or she didn't like the coach, reasons many college athletes decide to transfer.

“It was tough, but leaving the team wasn't too bad,” she said. “I go back and visit sometimes.”

The change is working well for Rainey. She's 17-7 overall playing No. 2 singles for the Lady Blues. She has won her last six singles matches and went 7-0 in singles matches in the MIAA.

“Anytime you can have a player going undefeated in conference, it is not a bad thing,” Alden said.

Rainey definitely is one of the players to watch this weekend when Washburn competes in the MIAA Tennis Tournament Saturday and Sunday at the Plaza Courts in Kansas City.

“I'm excited to be at home,” she said. “I'm a little nervous. It's a big tournament. I think our biggest competition is Northwest.”

Washburn went 6-1 in the MIAA during the regular season and is seeded second in the conference tournament behind Northwest Missouri, which was a perfect 7-0.

“We've played them awfully close,” Alden said. “Last year we beat them in regular season and they beat us in the final. This year they played well and we didn't have our best day. It was real close. We are right there with them. The rivalry has really set up between us and Northwest.

“But we don't want to overlook any team in our conference. There are some very good teams.”

Washburn has a nice, one-punch at the top of its lineup. Senior Trang Le Nguyen is 22-6 at No. 1 singles after going 19-4 as a junior. Like Rainey, she went 7-0 in conference play.

“Anything can happen on any given day,” Alden said. “But both Trang and Morgan have been steady all year. It gives confidence and helps the other girls to know they are there and they can play with a little less pressure.

“We all need to go out and focus on winning your points, but to have them on your team helps.”

As for Rainey, this year has been one of adjustments.

“Tennis has been good,” she said. “It's different and interesting, but it's growing on me. I don't dislike it. I just have to get used to it.

“As much as I love Drake, I do think Washburn is the better school for me. The tennis here might benefit me more and the academics will help balance that a little bit.”