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Photo by Bob Pennell Southern Oregon sophomore Judy Jonasson has developed patience in holding down the No. 1 singles spot for the Raiders. Versatile Jonasson No. 1 for SOU NAIA regional next weekend By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN ASHLAND -- Her objective is to have a game plan -- and a tennis game -- for any opponent. In any situation. Former North Medford High player Judy Jonasson, a 20-year-old sophomore and No. 1 singles player for Southern Oregon University's women's tennis team, says no matter what the conditions might be, or who she's facing, she feels she has an arsenal of shots and styles to draw from to be successful. SOU head coach Gail Patton says Jonasson has a complete game that is getting better and better. "I've worked hard to get to the point where I can analyze an opponent while hitting with her in warmups and decide what my strategy will be," says Jonasson. "I'm formulating my plan then. "If the opponent stands back at the baseline and hits hard shots back, I'm going to try to bring her to the net and hit shots past her," says Jonasson. "If she likes to come to the net and play with power, I'm willing to stay back on the baseline and hit top-spin returns until she breaks down. "I feel I've greatly improved in grinding it our mentally and physically in matches," she says. "I'm more patient and pretty competitive." The one-time Southern Oregon Conference runner-up in girls doubles, says she has developed an assortment of weapons from Patton, who is also part of head pro Frank Inn's staff at Southern Oregon Tennis Club. "One of Judy's strengths is that she's a smart player," says Patton. "She has a combination of skills she uses. She can either hit the ball hard, or she can set up a point and eventually go for a winner." Jonasson says she would prefer to go for that winner with hard shots up the lines. But she has the skill and patience to set up those shots with finesse shots, lobs, and other shots. `I like to drive the ball up the lines," says Jonasson. "Those are my favorite shots, either one-handed or two-handed. That is one of my strengths." Jonasson, who has become SOU's No. 1 singles player, and part of the Raiders' No. 2 doubles team along with Medford resident Torrey Waggoner, says she still believes she has a lot to learn. She says Patton, who has worked with her since she was 14 years old, is the ideal instructor. Patton says Jonasson will play a major role in the team's performance in the NAIA Northwest Regional tournament next weekend in Tacoma, Wash. The Raiders are hoping to win the regional team title and advance to the NAIA national tournament at Palm Beach, Fla. "Going to Florida would be just fine with me," says Jonasson. "I know going there, having good weather and tough competition, would fit my game just fine." Jonasson has a 14-6 record as SOU's No. 1 singles player. That record can be deceiving, she says. "I always hook up with the other team's best singles player at No. 1. Most teams at this level usually have at least one very good player. "It makes it tougher, but it's making me better," says Jonasson. "I'm sure I could have a better record at No. 2 or No. 3 singles, but I'm happy with what I'm doing." Waggoner is 12-6 as SOU's No. 3 singles player. Lauren Barnard and Amy Krueger are 11-6 and McKenzie Walther 10-6. Katie Fankhanel and Walther are SOU's doubles specialists and the Raiders' No. 1 team. Jonasson, an environmental sciences major, spent a year in Melbourne, Australia attending Deakin University as an exchange student. She hopes to complete her degree at SOU and go back to Australia to complete a master's in marine biology. "I like to study sea turtles," she says. "I got into that over there. They are an endangered species. "I love the Aussies. They are so nice, and it's a beautiful country. I'd definitely like to go back." But first, Jonasson says she has two more years of work to complete her degree at SOU and to play tennis to play for Patton and the Raiders. "I now have the feeling I can hit long, top-spin shots for as long as it takes to win a point, or force things and for a winner. It's fun to be able to do all that and be able to think things out on the court." Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.