Senior returning for fifth year

Senior Karie Schlukebir announced this past week that she is coming back next year as a fifth-year senior. Schlukebir was sidelined early in both her freshman and sophomore years because of cancer, but overcame it to become successful on the court.\nSchlukebir's highlights before IU include a state championship ring and a 25-0 record during her sophomore year of high school in Michigan, a pair of team MVP nods, and a No. 1 ranking in Western Michigan in singles in 1997-98. \nSchlukebir has been impressive in college as well. She has a career singles record of 47-42 and doubles record of 70-29. Schlukebir and junior Linda Tran have combined as one of the best doubles duos in collegiate tennis. Last year, they were selected to participate in the doubles National Championship, where the top 32 doubles teams in the nation play for a title. This year Schlukebir and Tran have been nationally ranked as high as No. 13.\nTran explained that Schlukebir's return means a lot to her on and off the court.\n"I am definitely glad she's coming back," Tran said. "We will have a great year next year and should have a chance to win a doubles championship. I'm also glad she's coming back because we've been best friends since my freshman year, and my senior year will be a lot better."\nCoach Lin Loring said the two have a good shot at winning a doubles championship next year. He said he has high expectations for Schlukebir and Tran.\n"They'll be preseason ranked high depending on how they finish this season," Loring said. "They'll definitely be in the top 15, and they have a good shot at a title."\nSchlukebir's return bolsters a team that is loaded with underclassmen. Five of the nine players on this year's roster are underclassmen. Along with Tran, Loring said he agrees that Schlukebir's fifth year is a bonus for next season.\n"Karie's return will mean a lot to us because she's a great leader on and off the court," Loring said. "She's also a good student and great when we have recruits come in."\nSchlukebir also helps with the recruiting process.\n"When the recruits come in, we have about 48 hours to show them the campus," Schlukebir said. "We take them out and make sure they feel comfortable."\nSchlukebir said she didn't want to miss out on the opportunity to play a fifth year. \n"I really figured that I can always work someday," Schlukebir said. "However, I would hate to look back and regret not playing out my last year of tennis.