The University of Denver women’s tennis team capped off its season last week by placing third in the Sun Belt Conference tournament, finishing with an overall record of 15-3.

The Pioneers’ only loss in the tournament came to Florida International, who is ranked No. 48 in the country.

The two wins came against Arkansas Little-Rock and New Mexico State. DU now waits to see if it will get a bid to the NCAA tournament, which begins Friday, May 13.

In the first day of the tournament, the Pioneers easily won the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 3.

The 27th ranked team of Yanick Dullens and Suzana Maksovic had no trouble with their opponent, winning 8-0.

In the No. 3 match, Rachel Sackmaster and Marisa Mechem had little difficulty in their 8-1 win. Dullens, Maksovic and Jenny Trettin all had singles wins.

The second day was not as kind to the Pioneers, as they were swept by FIU.

The Golden Panthers took the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 2, and dominated singles with wins at No. 1, 2 and 6.

Dullens and Maksovic were upset by the duo of Paula Zabala and Nikkita Fountain 9-8(2), and Trettin and Barbara Kourim lost their No. 2 match 9-7.

Dullens lost her singles match to Zabala, who is the No. 43-ranked player in the nation.

Still, the Pioneers third place finish is due in large part to the play of Trettin, Sackmaster and Mechem.

All three won to take the No. 4, 5 and 6 singles matches against NMSU.

Sackmaster and Mechem won their doubles match 8-1, while Trettin and Kourim combined for an 8-3 victory.

The season was an impressive one for Head Coach Dana Young and the Pioneers, and they hope it’s not over yet.

Of their 15 wins, four of them came against ranked opponents in No. 43 Iowa, No. 54 Tulsa, No. 31 New Mexico and No. 56 Colorado.

Two of the Pioneers’ three losses were against ranked teams, as they fell to No. 32 Alabama to open the season and to FIU in the tournament.

The team will learn tomorrow if it will be selected for the NCAA tournament. Had DU won the conference tournament, it would have gotten an automatic bid.

Young said whether or not DU gets in now will depend on things such as DU’s overall record, strength of schedule, national ranking and top wins.

The team is on the bubble right now, as DU is one of several other schools that could be chosen.

Young is in her fifth season with the Pioneers, and said this year’s team may be the best she has coached.

Last year the team was 20-1 and won the conference, but Young says the 2005 team may be even better.

“Last year we were really good, but this year we had a much tougher schedule,” Young said. “I am really pleased with the way we’ve played all year.”

Young said Dullens is one of the best players she’s had during her five-year tenure.

Dullens started playing tennis when she was five years old, and came to Denver from her hometown of Susteren, Netherlands. Young said she has been a big reason for the team’s success the past four years.

“She has the ability to hit any shot, which makes her stand out from other players,” Young said.

She added, “She also has a really good drop shot, and anticipates with good movement.”

Dullens’ singles record is 20-9 and she is currently ranked No. 101 in the country.

Young also noted the contributions of other players, particularly Maksovic.

Maksovic finished 18-11 on the year in No. 2 singles, and together with Dullens made up one of the most formidable doubles tandems in the country.

Other notable accomplishments include Trettin’s 18-8 and Sackmaster’s 19-6 finishes, at No. 4 and 5, respectively.

Sackmaster is a sophomore and Maksovic is a junior, and both will be leading the charge next year as Dullens, Kourim and Trettin all depart.

Dullens will take along her national ranking, which leaves a big void for the team.

“We will have a hard time filling her shoes next season,” said Sackmaster.