[May 22, 2013] COLLEGE TENNIS: Permian grad Lucero set for NCAA Division III Championships Tweet May 22, 2013 (Odessa American - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Making history isn't easy, of course, but it's becoming a routine for Tai Lucero with the Coe College women's tennis program. A 2010 Permian High School graduate, Lucero will compete both in women's singles and doubles starting Thursday at the NCAA Division III Championships in Kalamazoo, Mich. The junior is Coe's first women's player to earn selections the same season for the national tournament in both draws, which were based on her Central Region rankings. She and senior doubles partner Michelle Shupbach are ranked No. 3 in the region and own Coe's all-time doubles record with 79 victories. "Just by being there," Coe head coach Eric Rodgers said, "you're one of the elite." Lucero moved into the team's No. 1 singles position this spring and has a 24-3 record this season, good for a No. 8 regional ranking. That gave her the region's final berth into the 32-player singles draw, while she and Shupbach are one of 16 teams at the tournament. The individual success comes on the heels of a second consecutive team appearance in the national tournament earlier this month, which was just the fourth in program history. "It's kind of like I have a calm excitement," Lucero said. "It's kind of like finally this is the pinnacle of my tennis career, and now I get to see what I can do." Lucero, a biology major, also is thriving in the classroom at the small school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. On Tuesday she was one of 12 Division III student-athletes named to the CoSIDA/Capital One All-District Eight First Team for both academic and athletic accomplishments. The focus turns this week to the tennis court for the trip to Stowe Stadium in Kalamazoo. The draws will be made today, and Lucero doesn't want to make quick exits. "I have accomplished a goal by making it, but I want to go further," Lucero said. "I don't want to be, 'Oh, I made it,' and that's it. Definitely I'm going to go all out." In fact, that's been a staple of Lucero's career. Rodgers jokes about the junior's propensity to play extended matches, and hopes that won't be a hindrance Thursday. The first two rounds of women's singles are scheduled Thursday morning, followed by the opening round of women's doubles. "My biggest worry is the schedule," Rodgers said. "Knowing Tai, if she wins the first match it'll still take three-and-a-half hours and then she'll play again. She will not get beat easy, and she will not win easy." Lucero's penchant for battling has helped her become an elite Division III player after a four-year career at Permian that was highlighted in 2009 by a trip to the state tournament in girls doubles. Rodgers said being more assertive has been a big key for Lucero. "I'm happy for her," Rodgers said. "She moved up to No. 1 this spring, and she certainly was ready for it. She works hard at her game and she's been adding new shots and getting her confidence up. This is great for her to get a reward for all the work she's done." In anticipation of her heavy workload at the national tournament, Lucero said three-hour conditioning sessions have been a part of the preparation. The Kohawks also have had a demanding schedule in team tennis, culminating with their second-round national showing and a 20-5 overall record. Since learning of her national selection for singles and doubles with Shupbach on May 8, there has been plenty of time to anticipate the trip to Kalamazoo. "I wasn't in shock, but definitely I felt like it was such a relief and I had so much gratitude," Lucero said. "There's been so much hard work, in the past and in the present, and to see my goals come to fruition, it's like my dream has finally come true." twitter.com/oachrisgove http://www.facebook.com/oachris.gove ref=tn_tnmn ___ (c)2013 the Odessa American (Odessa, Texas) Visit the Odessa American (Odessa, Texas) at www.oaoa.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]