The women’s tennis team has had a good start to their season with five straight victories. The team’s victorious run came to a halt this past week when they faced Augustana College.
“It’s important that we start off on a strong foot. It’s important that everyone on the team stays focused and does their jobs and makes sure that we put ourselves in the best opportunity going forward to compete for a conference title,” said Head Coach Ryan Jump.
“I think we are going to be a competing team for the conference title instead of last year when our goal was to get in the top four,” said tennis player Hannah Hougland, ’21.
After a historic run last season, the team looks to continue their winning streak and earn the CCIW (College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin) championship this year.
They finished with a 16-7 overall record last year. The Cardinals had the most wins in a single season ever in program history. Their run came to an end when they faced Augustana College.
“Last year really set a benchmark to what this team and program can do and accomplish,” said Jump.
Last month the team was voted to place fourth in the CCIW by the head women’s tennis coaches, which is not far from where the team placed last year. The team finished in fourth place last season at the CCIW championship with a 5-3 record.
“I think it is an accurate statement on their behalf. Our team is very young, but I think there is a lot of talent on the team to surpass that conference expectation,” said Jump.
The team has changed its schedule this year to play a lot of challenging teams which includes conference champions and NCAA tournament qualifiers. They are focusing on four different things this season — attitude, effort, competitiveness and energy. They are encouraged to apply these in their social and academic lives.
“We have a lot of new but experienced players this year so we have been working a lot on forming solid doubles lineup and communicating as doubles teams,” said tennis player Katie McGraw, ’21.
The team was handed their first loss of the season yesterday when they faced the Vikings. The team has not had much luck when facing this team in the past. Last season was cut short when they faced the same team.
“Continuously going out there and playing the best teams possible is going to help us shape up to where we want to be at the end of the year,” said jump.
The team looks to continue their almost flawless record as they face North Park University on Monday, Sept. 16 at 4 p.m.
