Author: Lizeth Castillo
The Women’s Tennis Team has begun the season well, winning three consecutive games, including the season home opener against Hope International University in a 5-4 game.
The players are looking to break their two-year consecutive placement as fourth in SCIAC. Currently 12th in the Western Region and 3-2 in SCIAC, the team has encountered four losses so far but is hoping to rebound and strengthen their game in the future.
Five new first-years on the team-Stephanie Babij, Kisa Ito, Colleen Robins, Danielle Siegler and Isabelle Ying-have contributed to great team dynamics. “The new crop of first-years has added excitement and a new energy to the team,” Head Coach Linda Park said. “The women spend time together off the court and this allows for additional team bonding.”
The team has suffered some setbacks due to injuries of four top players, but they are hoping to be back on the court by April. “The players are doing a great job and stepping up in hopes of presenting a full line-up,” Park said. “Every Division III athletic program faces issues with injuries and academic responsibilities. Our team is doing the best we can, given our circumstances, and if we can get through this rocky period of injuries and come out somewhat healthy, I believe we can do great things.”
Players also talked about the impact that team injuries have had on the season. “Injuries have been a real setback this season, especially because more than half the team is injured in some way or another,” Ying said.
“We are up there with the other top teams: Claremont, Pomona and Redlands,” Taylor Kaplan (junior) said. “At this point, it is going to be about what team can stay healthy and pull out wins at the championships in April.”
After their four losses, the team is drawing inspiration from the defeats and finding consolation within each other. “We are able to excel as a team largely in part by how much fun we have with each other on and off the court,” Kaplan said. “However, this year I think we need a change in attitude, because as we have seen in the past month, we hit just as good of shots and are in better shape than the other girls . . . we just need to start winning.”
Players are looking forward to showing just how much hard work has gone into training and practice. “I’m most looking forward to Ojai . . . and the SCIAC tournament, of course,” Ying said. “I think we’ll do much better than we did against Redlands and Pomona-Pitzer.”
Like most other sports teams on campus, the tennis team is hoping to win SCIAC, or-at the very least-best their SCIAC standing of the last two years. “A goal we’ve had for the past two years is to break into the top three,” Park said. “We’re hoping also to achieve a top 30 ranking nationally. A top 10 regional ranking would be another [achievement we hope to reach].”
The team is working hard to improve as much as possible in order to reach their goals. “Our players are all improving and working hard to raise the level of their games,” Park said. “We look forward to a successful season.”
Catch the Women’s Tennis team this Saturday, March 8, as they take on Chapman University at 2 p.m.
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