Women’s tennis has seen many recent successes, including competing in the North West Conference Playoff Semi-finals last spring, and placing at the National Small College Championships this past fall. After a solid individual fall season, the team is looking forward to a promising spring season. Their first match was a tough loss on Feb. 12, away at Lewis-Clark State College, but the athletes are ready to take on Linfield College this weekend in McMinnville, Ore.
With a strong returning team and the addition of five first-year players, the women have their sights set beyond Conference Championships to NCAA Nationals. Coach John Hein is optimistic about the spring season.
“I’m incredibly excited about the depth of our team and our ability to play great doubles,” said Hein. “In DIII tennis, depth and doubles win titles, and our goal is to both win conference and earn a qualification to compete at NCAAs.”
Women’s tennis has set the bar high and has been practicing hard in the off-season in order to accomplish its ambitious goals. The athletes spend a lot of time together, and concentrate on both playing their best and supporting each other on and off the court.
“The team dynamic is really great,” said first-year Courtney Lawless, who was ranked No. 2 regionally with junior teammate Alyssa Roberg last fall. “We’re like a big family, and I’m really looking forward to competing and spending every weekend with [my teammates].”
Due to scheduling this season, women’s varsity tennis will see more competition time on the road than on their own courts. Sophomore Olivia Bates has mixed feelings about the numerous away matches, but is focused on achieving the larger goal.
“Traveling is always difficult on your sleep, your homework [and] your body physically, especially driving for six hours straight there and back,” said Bates. “I wish we had more home matches both for better health, but, also, so our school could come out and watch us play. But, ultimately, the goal is to be undefeated, and it doesn’t really matter where the venue is.”
