Haiden Widener, Campus Carrier Sports Editor
The women’s tennis team opened their season last week with a 1-1 record.
The team first faced Agnes Scott on March 2, winning 7-2. All three doubles teams walked away with wins in this match-up and four of the six singles teams won as well.
They then travelled to Huntingdon College where they lost in a close match 5-4, with three single wins, but only one double win.
“Everyone fought really hard,” senior Mary Cerny said. “Almost every match went into three sets.”
Considering it was the teams’ opening week, and with two freshmen starting, Head Coach Clay Hightower was not disappointed with the team’s level of play.
“I was happy with the way we played in singles,” he said. “We are a work in progress in doubles, but we know that.”
Cerny set high standards for the rest of the season after finishing undefeated in both singles and doubles in both matches.
“I honestly felt really nervous, and I don’t know why,” she said. “I’ve been doing this for four years and I play a lot better when I’m calm, but it ended up being fine in the end.”
The team has added two freshmen to the starting roster this season. Karleigh Dills and Sage Havrilla won their double and single matches against Agnes Scott, but then fell against Huntingdon College.
“They’re doing well with the atmosphere,” said Hightower. “There’s just a learning curve for any freshman.”
They will play their next five matches over spring break in Orlando and senior Valerie DeWandel is confident that the team will get into a good rhythm during that time.
“I think over spring break everyone will get better adjusted to their positions and we can improve,” she said.
Cerny is hoping to set her nerves aside and compete at her full potential during these upcoming matches.
“I want to play like I know I can in my last season,” she said.
After losing two key seniors, Kayleigh Carpenter and Heidi Seabaugh, last year, and finishing the season with a 10-6 record, Hightower recognizes that this is a rebuilding year for the team, but is excited about their potential to compete.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how quickly we improve from where we are now,” he said.
With the season just getting started, the Vikings have high hopes for what lies ahead.
“If we can see an improvement from where we are now to the end of the season, in our playing abilities, that’s one of our main goals,” DeWandel said.
The team’s next home match is on March 19 against Oglethorpe at noon.
This will be followed by their Pack the House event against Piedmont on the 23, at 4 p.m.