Shelley Grostefon
Contributing Writer
This season, both the Wooster men’s and women’s tennis teams have a set of accomplished individual players who work well as a team and garner conference awards.
The men’s team spent spring break in Orlando, Fla., where it left with a record of three wins and five losses. On March 14, Kieran McTague ’19 was honored as the NCAC Player of the Week, and one week later, Titas Bera ’18 was also given this honor.
The team’s overall record on the season is 9-13 and on Saturday, April 16, the team fell 5-4 to Allegheny College and 9-0 to Case Western Reserve University. Most of the team’s losses, including against Allegheny, have been close matches that the team hopes will garner different results the rest of the season.
“Five of our losses have been decided by only one match,” explained Davis Elkins ’17. “So we need to do a better job of focusing on each and every point in order to pull out the close matches.”
Head coach Zachary Hasenyager praised the contributions of all players, especially in doubles play. This effort is led by the doubles team of Elkins and Jack Buchan ’17, who have consistently given their best competitive effort in every match.
Elkins also stressed the importance of focusing on the team’s mental toughness, especially as the team approaches its last two matches, which will determine their seed for the NCAC tournament.
“I believe we could improve our mental game,” Elkins stressed. “It is imperative that this week in practice we work hard and are focused in order to gain a mental edge for the matches this weekend.”
Hasenyager agrees that the team’s biggest challenge in the next two matches will be mental toughness.
“So from a mental standpoint the next two matches are arguably our most challenging because of the level of importance and accompanying stress,” he added.
The women’s team is not lacking in strong individual players who have added to the team’s success. Rachel Molé ’17 garnered NCAC Player of the Week Honors after the team played in Orlando, Fla., where it earned a record of two wins and three losses.
The team’s record this season is 3-16. One of the reasons the team has had difficulties in winning several matches is related to the team’s injuries.
“We have lost a couple of players to injury and that has been a struggle [for other players] stepping up and filling their shoes,” explained Elizabeth Brewington ’17.
However, Brewington prefers to be optimistic about the team’s hardship.
“I think this has caused us to be very resilient and really bonded us together as a team.”
Another challenge for the team has been its mental game and focus, much like the men’s team. “The most important thing we can improve on over the next few weeks is keeping up our energy and focus.”
Brewington is still confident about the team’s next few games, mentioning that while they will be difficult for the team, they will still be fun and especially useful before the NCAC Conference tournament.
The men’s team will play at home against Ohio Wesleyan University on April 22 and at home against Wabash College on April 23.
The women’s team will play on April 22 at home versus Ohio Wesleyan University.