The University of Mississippi Athletics
Written In The Stars
3/8/2012 | Women's Tennis
March 8, 2012
By John Holt
Ole Miss Media Relations Graduate Assistant
Compassion.
Honesty.
Trust.
Understanding.
Those four words characterize themselves as some of the most critical qualities required in establishing a steadfast friendship. If two individuals commit to embracing the listed qualities, then maintaining any sort of friendship should be an easy task, while the friendship itself, should never fold.
With most all friendships there are certainly going to be disagreements and setbacks, but when those things occur, how does one determine a plan in making sure the friendship returns to a stable level?
As philosopher Henry David Thoreau once said, "The language of friendship is not words but meanings."
Julia Jones and Erin Stephens, two freshmen Ole Miss women tennis players, carry a friendship that has proven to unite them in a multitude of ways. And as their collegiate careers progress, it is certain to only deepen.
TRADITION IN EXCELLENCE
One of the most valuable components the Ole Miss women's tennis program has built a reputation off of under 11th-year head coach Mark Beyers, has been the ability to display excellence on and off the court.
All-Americans, All Southeastern Conference performers, Academic All-Americans, national Top-25 finishes, an SEC West crown, and one NCAA Sweet 16 appearance (2010), are all notable accolades that Beyers' teams have been able to accomplish during the last two seasons.
Early on this season, it appears that the Rebels newest duo has the chemistry and potential to continue the high standard of success during its career in Oxford.
Stephens, a five-star recruit out of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., was named the SEC Freshman of the Week during the week of Feb. 22, and Jones, a blue-chip recruit who was at one time ranked the top player in the state of Florida, received the same honor, one week later.
"I think it was expected that they were going to be a big part of our team this year," senior teammate Gabby Rangel said. "I'm really happy for them being acknowledged by the SEC. I think they know that they're good enough for that. I don't think it was a big surprise."
NUMEROUS COMPARISIONS
The freshman duo share more similarities than most would expect.
Both began playing tennis at the age of five. Both hail from the same state: Florida. Both love the beach and tanning. Both have known each other since they were 10. Both say their best moment so far at Ole Miss was last month when the Rebels earned a spot in the ITA National Team Indoors. And both agree, that the biggest thing Beyers has taught them is mental toughness.
"We would always see each other at tournaments growing up," Stephens said.
"But we never played against each other," Jones said.
Meanwhile today, the duo has not just evolved into inseparable friends or first-year teammates, but also has cherished its experience together as roommates.
EARLY EXPECTATIONS
After being heavily recruited by Alabama, Florida State and Ole Miss, Stephens committed to the Rebels before Jones. Both admitting that they had lost touch with one another in high school, Stephens didn't hesitate to reconnect with her childhood friend when she heard that Jones was planning on taking an official visit to Oxford.
"(Erin) messaged me on Facebook when she knew I was visiting," Jones said laughing. "She said, 'you're really going to like it there.' I was thinking to myself, I haven't talked to you in years, but OK."
Shortly thereafter, Jones also committed to Ole Miss. She would join Stephens and fellow freshman Iris Verboven to complete a freshman class that earned a national ranking of 18, which resulted being the second highest national ranking ever produced by a Rebel recruiting class from TennisRecruiting.net.
Heading into the 2012 season, the biggest area of concern for the Rebels was who would replace graduated seniors Connor Vogel and Laura van de Stroet, both All-SEC performers during their storied careers.
Through the team's first 13 matches this season, what once was a concern is now practically forgotten.
Stephens currently is playing No. 3 in the Rebels singles lineup, while Jones sits right behind her at No. 4.
"Obviously they're so young, but you see their tennis getting better with each match," Beyers said. "They're becoming more consistent and we're competitive in every match at their positions. It's been fun to see the level of tennis go up every weekend. Hopefully, we'll see that continue, because they're the future of Ole Miss tennis."
TRANSITION GAME
Although SEC competition began just last weekend, the team has already created nicknames for the duo. Jones claims to be referred to as "Jules" by her teammates, whereas Beyers apparently formed the nickname "Steve-O" for Stephens.
"I think my nickname is probably the worst on the team," Stephens said. "You don't say nicknames around coach because they usually stick."
Jones said that her mental focus has improved greatly during her brief time competing at the collegiate level. Yet she also states that her first serve percentage is an element of her game that she is trying to make more consistent.
"In high school, you're just playing for yourself," Jones said. "It's harder playing for a team, because you don't want to disappoint your teammates. But at the same time, you have to focus on your own match, and there are so many matches going on around you. It's kind of hard to keep your concentration, so that's been the toughest adjustment."
For Stephens, she considers her forehand and backhand ground strokes as the two most noticeable improvements in her individual game since her arrival to Oxford last fall.
"(Julia and I) don't have negative emotions on the court," Stephens said. "But we scream 'Come On' and give fist pumps when things are going well."
Rangel added, "They are always ready to compete and intense when they are playing. You can really tell from their attitude on the court that they really want to win, and they've really cared about this team, right from the beginning."
INDIFFERENCES
Despite basically being best friends, "Jules" and "Steve-O" do have a couple differences between them.
Jones is double-jointed and her favorite band is Coldplay.
Stephens prefers country, listing Kenny Chesney as her favorite artist.
Jones' favorite movie is "Love Actually", featuring Hugh Grant, while inspirational sports films such as "Soul Surfer" and "Miracle", Stephens finds most appealing.
16-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer is Jones' favorite tennis player.
Stephens idolizes former women's world number one, Caroline Wozniacki.
"I admire his calmness on the court," Jones said of the Swiss star. "He doesn't put on a big-show on the court like (Rafael) Nadal or (Novak) Djokovic, ripping off his shirt and all that crazy stuff. He just goes out there and does what he needs to do. I just find that admirable."
Asked why she likes Wozniacki, a player who has yet to win a Grand Slam title, Stephens answered. "I just really like her attitude on the court. In my opinion, she's one of the best competitors in tennis. She and I have different games. She's more of a counter-puncher, and I play more aggressive on the court and go for my shots. It's not really that I like her because of her game; it's just her attitude and her poise on the court that I like."
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITY
This weekend the No. 25 Rebels (8-5, 1-1 SEC) are set to host a pair of top-10 teams when they face No. 8 Tennessee (10-4, 1-1 SEC) Friday and No. 7 Georgia (11-2, 1-1 SEC) Sunday.
Jones and Stephens believe they are ready for the challenge.
"I think we have a good chance to step up and beat them," Jones said. "They're both really good teams, and we've shown that we can play well against good teams and really high ranked teams. We have nothing to lose and we're playing at home. I think if we just go out and play, play to win, we're going to have a really good chance."
The Rebels have proven that they can compete against the nation's best, as was witnessed back on Feb. 10 when they dropped a heartbreaking 4-3 match to No. 3 Duke.
SETTING GOALS
The future success of the Ole Miss women's tennis program largely rests on the shoulders of this duo. Rangel, along with fellow seniors, Abby Guthrie and All-American, Kristi Boxx, are set to exit the program after this season.
With both their careers still in the early stages, Jones and Stephens recently set goals for what they want to accomplish during their time at Ole Miss. They hope when 2015 approaches their goals will be met.
"For me, individually, I want to be an All-American," Jones said. "That's my number one goal."
Stephens said, "(Individually) to get a top-50 national ranking, and to get a high doubles ranking. As a team, we want to win the SEC and finish top 10, and do well at the NCAA's."
LIVING IN THE MOMENT AND BEYOND
With their freshman seasons now having reached the midway point, Jones and Stephens' experience with the Rebel women's tennis program has been more exciting than they ever imagined.
"We have so much fun together," Jones said. "We're all good friends, and I don't think all teams can say that."
Rangel said the duo is special, and she feels lucky to be playing one season alongside them.
"They're always together," Rangel said. "Off the court, during trips, they're always together. That's important for them to have that bond. I know that really helps when you have a teammate that's so close to you, because you can trust in each other."
Jones and Stephens have demonstrated they are a perfect roommate combination.
As teammates, they are quickly becoming a formidable duo anytime they step onto the tennis court. And with continued hard work and dedication, the sky is the limit in what they can fulfill over the next three and a half years.
But in trying to fully understand and appreciate Jones and Stephens' friendship, one must not shy away from the concept of trust. For like Rangel said, it's the single concept that most truly defines it.
