Occidental tennis is in the midst of their season and recently traveled to Austin, Texas to compete with four colleges, winning three out of four matches.
Occidental is a member of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC), which includes eight teams. However, many of the tennis teams’ matches, including the ones in Austin, take place outside of SCIAC. Nicole Anderson (junior) said games outside of SCIAC nonetheless tend to count toward the teams’ season records.
“We had one match against Brandeis University, and that one was an exhibition match, so […] it wouldn’t affect our record,” Anderson said. “But for a majority of other colleges we’ve played, it affects our records.”
Greta Nagy (first year) said the trip to Austin was the perfect opportunity for the players to bond.
“Texas was so much fun — we did a lot of outside-tennis activities and had a day off in Austin to explore the city,” Nagy said. “The coaches mostly guide the activities we do, but the people on the team have a large say in what we want these activities to be.”
Chris Swanson (senior) said players also traveled to San Diego earlier this semester for the Pacific Coast Doubles Tournament, which included schools such as UCLA and USC. Earlier this semester, the team also played UC Santa Cruz, Ventura College and Whitman College.
Swanson said he believes the close bonds the team has formed through trips have improved their performance.
“Our season has been much better since the Pacific Coast Doubles Tournament,” Swanson said. “I believe [these trips] have been part of the reason for our success this year.”
Anderson said she thinks it is essential for the team to do their best regardless of who they are playing, and to ensure they do not underestimate opponents.
“If we did well last year, we always have to not downplay our opponents,” Anderson said. “We always have to have it in our head that we have to be our best and play our best no matter what.”
Swanson said SCIAC matches begin in April and are the last matches of the season.
“We typically have around 20 dual matches a year, with the last seven of them being SCIAC matches,” Swanson said. “We typically use the non-conference matches to grow as a team and become the strongest that we can be by the SCIAC matches, which are the most important.”
Swanson said the team’s practice schedule is consistent, and matches only affect the practice schedule if a match and planned practice overlap. Swanson also said team members are very supportive of each other, which encourages players to do their best.
“While tennis is an individual sport, in college, you’re competing for your team and almost always have teammates cheering you on,” Swanson said. “When the team culture is good, this cheering helps everyone play better.”
Nagy also said that cheering from the team motivated her, especially during crucial moments in a game.
“I have had some really close matches, and it’s fun when the team is cheering me on in the close tiebreak or third set,” Nagy said.
According to Anderson, the team has grown closer, and new players have integrated well.
“In contrast to last year, we’ve become a lot closer, and there’s a good […] friendly vibe,” Anderson said. “The freshmen have meshed really well with our current players.”
Anderson also said the high performance of the team this season has inspired players to work hard and improve their skills even further.
“We’ve also been doing pretty well competition-wise, so I think that’s brought the spirits up too,” Anderson said. “I think a lot of our teammates are super motivated to continue getting better and doing what they can to perform better in matches and in practice and be more present with everyone.”
Nagy said there is strong camaraderie between both the women’s and men’s tennis teams.
“All the girls on the [women’s] team are really sweet, we get along very well and hang out a lot outside of practice,” Nagy said. “We are also very good friends with the men’s team, which is nice because we go to each other’s matches and support each other.”
Anderson said the coaches and captains of the team contribute to the positive atmosphere, as they are caring and help the team feel like a family.
“The coaches are great, they do a lot to make sure we’re healthy and interactive with one another even when we don’t want to stay active on court,” Anderson said. “The captains do a pretty good job being pillars of support when people need that.”
Swanson said support from fans is equally meaningful, and he is grateful when fans are able to show up for home games.
“Similar to when teammates are cheering you on, when lots of people come to watch our matches, it helps us play better as a team and improve our chances of winning,” Swanson said. “So for any home matches, the more people that show up, the better.”
Amelia Darling contributed to The Occidental’s reporting
Contact Diana Trutia at trutia@oxy.edu
