SLIPPERY ROCK — Winning is nothing new for Slippery Rock University women's tennis coach Matt Meredith.

But winning at the rate the program has in the past four years?

Well, that's a different story.

SRU is coming off its first berth in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals this spring. The Rock posted a school-record 23 wins in 2006-07 and is 89-21 overall in the past four seasons.

"A number of these kids could have been playing Division I collegiate tennis," said Meredith, a Butler resident. "They love Division II because of the balance of academics.

"Our top four players this year certainly could have succeeded at the Division I level."

Three of those players, seniors Lauren Handy and Jessica Hilborn, and Knoch graduate Chelsea Gibson, a junior, have surpassed the 100-win mark at SRU.

The Rock's No. 2 and No. 3 singles players, Sarah Lynch and Dunja Drmac, are sophomores.

Before this crop of players came along, only three SRU women's tennis players had ever reached 100 wins with the program. Kayla Blackburn is the all-time leader with 191.

Handy wound up third on the list with 168, behind Jessica Bungo (177) and ahead of Ashley Michaux (160).

Hilborn is fifth on SRU's all-time list with 131 wins. Gibson ranks sixth with 108 and still has a full season to play.

"I played No. 2 singles (behind Blackburn) when I got here," Handy said. "I knew once she graduated, I'd have a shot at No. 1 if I kept working hard."

During her Rock career, Handy was named PSAC Rookie of the Year as a freshman, Player to Watch last year and Player of the Year this year. She is a four-time all-conference player.

"I had played in 14-and-under tournaments at Slippery Rock a few years ago," Handy said. "I knew of the school and of the program. I always wanted to come here. They've always had a good team."

Meredith has posted 176 wins in 12 years at SRU. The women's tennis team plays in both the fall and the spring.

"We stayed injury-free the entire time this year, and these girls keep up a grueling schedule," Meredith said.

The fall season begins in September and lasts until mid-October. Following a brief break, the team gathers in January and prepares for a South Carolina trip in February.

This season didn't end until the national quarterfinals in mid-May.

"Because everything counts in this sport, fall and spring, it does become a bit of a grind," Meredith said.

But it's a grind the players don't mind.

"Not at all," Handy said. "You become close friends with your teammates. It's enjoyable being around them."

Gibson figures to be one of the key leaders next year.

"Chelsea should get better simply because of the mental toughness she's been getting," Meredith said. "She has a great game and playing in the big matches we were in during the postseason will only help her."