JOHN KOVACH | Colleges Marla Marino aims for third tennis title

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS -- Senior Marla Marino is optimistic that she will recover from an early-season slump with the John Carroll University women's tennis team, and make a strong bid for her third straight Ohio Athletic Conference championship.
Last season, Marino, a graduate of Poland High, compiled a 26-1 record -- 13-1 at No. 4 singles and 13-0 and No. 2 doubles with now-graduated Karen Rizzuto -- and won her second straight OAC No. 4 singles title.
But this season, Marino has moved up in classifications and has struggled to a 1-8 record, going 1-3 at No. 1 singles and 0-5 at No. 1 doubles with freshman Allicen Gran entering last weekend's play.
Eyes confidence: Marino said the higher caliber of competition has been a factor in her poor start this year, but that the primary reason has been a loss of confidence.
"I have been lacking confidence, and I'm trying to overcome [this], but I'm not used to playing so high. It's a big difference in the caliber of girls from [Nos.] 1 to 4," said Marino. So, "I'm going through an adjustment period right now, and hoping to regain my form."
Whereas last year, "I was in a position that I knew I could handle without a doubt. I did have the confidence at the time."
Needs practice: Marino also said she hasn't had enough practice yet this year to hit her stride.
"When we were down in Florida, we really didn't get to practice that much," said Marino, noting that eight of her first nine decisions were during the southern spring trip.
Now, she is looking forward to OAC competition.
"We haven't started any conference matches yet." And, "I feel that I will fare better against OAC competition. It's a matter of finding my confidence and practicing better."
Marino believes she is capable of playing at the higher levels, but she just has to believe in herself.
"Eventually I'll get there, but I pretty much have to believe that I can do it. It's just a matter of believing that I can play at that level."
Championship teams: Last year, Marino helped John Carroll to a 14-2 record, including 8-0 in the OAC, and to its third league championship in four years. The Blue streaks also won OAC crowns in 1991-92-94 for six titles in 10 years.
But the team, coached by Toby Perry, was only 2-2 so far this spring entering last Saturday's OAC opener against Ohio Northern.
"It's a big adjustment for all of us because we lost five starters from last year's team," said Marino.
Has 3.5 GPA: The daughter of Rennie and Frank Marino, Marla is majoring in chemistry and has a 3.5 grade-point average.
She plans to graduate in December and then embark on a career in pharmaceutical sales.
While at Poland High, she played four years of tennis under coach Pam Steinhauser.
Another Marino: Also on the John Carroll team is freshman Kim Marino from Warren JFK High.
Kim, no relation to Marla, teams with freshman Tania Nemer at No. 3 doubles.
Kim and Tania recently combined for an 8-6 win that gave John Carroll a 5-4 victory over Case Western Reserve.
Sunseri jells: Erin Sunseri, a freshman on the Walsh University women's team from Boardman High, is off to a 6-1 record at No. 5 singles this season.
Sunseri recently won her fifth straight match in Walsh's 6-3 win over Baldwin-Wallace. The Cavaliers had a 3-6 record as of early last week.