The recent winter-like weather conditions have forced the men’s and women’s tennis teams to spend more time rescheduling matches this week than actually playing in them.
Last Thursday, neither team was able to bring home a win in a tough matchup versus Northwest Missouri State University. The women’s team lost 8-1, but athletes Marti Eidson and Kelsey Stephens found success in their match at No. 1 doubles.
“Kelsey and I played really well in that match. We were really clicking; I think it had come off our earlier matches from that week,” Eidson said.
The men lost 7-2 overall but also found a few wins in their doubles matches. Joe Ahmadian and Jose Mota won their doubles match 7-2, along with a doubles win from Michael Angarita and Hunter Hollarn, 8-4.
“Our doubles match went really well,” Ahmadian said. “They were a good doubles team. They won their region for Division II. We won it pretty handily. We just got up in the beginning and held our lead. We also got to the net really well and put away points when we needed to.”
Going more than a full week without competing would be frustrating for some coaches, but coach Regan Dodd said she isn’t worried that her athletes will be affected by the break.
“It’s always tough, but we are to the point in the season where we just want to play; the excitement to play is so big,” Dodd said. “But with the break now we are rested and injury-free. Once we play a set or so we’ll get right back in our game.”
The athletes know they need to stay on top of their game while not playing matches, but they are enjoying the break.
“I think it was good to have a break just for everyone to be able to rest,” Eidson said. “But when we do play our next match, everyone needs to be ready to come out strong.”
Saturday will be senior day for both teams, if weather permits. The women will play Evangel University at 10 a.m., followed by the men playing University of Illinois – Springfield at 3 p.m. This will be an especially important meet for the women as they will be facing a conference opponent.
“I think as a team we really want to come off with another conference win to help us with seeding in the conference tournament. Eidson said. “Individually, I want to play well because it’s senior day, and I want all the seniors to come away with great victories.”
game while not playing matches, but they are enjoying the break.
“I think it was good to have a break just for everyone to be able to rest,” Eidson said. “But when we do play our next match, everyone needs to be ready to come out strong.”
Saturday will be senior day for both teams, if weather permits. The women will play Evangel University at 10 a.m., followed by the men playing University of Illinois – Springfield at 3 p.m. This will be an especially important meet for the women as they will be facing a conference opponent.
“I think as a team we really want to come off with another conference win to help us with seeding in the conference tournament.” Eidson said.