The tennis teams might not have come home from their trip to California with a winning record, but they did come back with the experience and toughness that will help them during their own conference and region play.
While in California, the women’s team faced tough competition against such nationally ranked teams as Azusa Pacific University, ranked third in the nation, and Point Loma Nazarene University, ranked 13th in the nation. The women finished the trip winning one out of four matches, finding their victory over Biola University, and senior Marti Eidson had a standout performance in her singles match.
“The Biola match we won 8-1. Marti Eidson had a great match at number one singles. She lost her first match 6-2. She won the next set 6-1. Then she won the super tie breaker 10-3,” coach Regan Dodd said.
Despite the losses, Dodd said she was happy with the performances on the women’s side and proud of the effort put out by each athlete.
“All individuals’ matches were close, and we were competitive; it was just hard to come up with the big points,” Dodd said. “I knew going out there playing the number three team in the nation wasn’t going to be easy, but it was good experience, and I definitely see that we can compete.”
The men’s team also played nationally ranked Azusa Pacific, Point Loma Nazarene and Concordia University. The men finished 1-3 overall, also finding their success against Biola University.
“The guys beat Biola 9-0. Number one doubles (Jose) Mota and (Joe) Ahmadian had a great win at 8-4,” Dodd said.
Dodd said she saw great potential in several of her players, including Ahmadian. Ahmadian had a close match at four singles versus Concordia, playing tough but losing in the tie breaker. Dodd said the effort was amazing, and she hopes other players will follow his lead.
“If our whole team can give what he gave in the match, the rest of the season we’ll be in good shape. He fought, and he just never gave up,” Dodd said.
The players hoped for more wins, but knew they were at a disadvantage not having as much experience as the competition.
“We just haven’t played a whole lot of matches, and it was a lot of matches to play,” senior Michael Cation said. “I think we could have done a little better later in the year, but I think we did well. The weather was definitely an added bonus.”
Dodd said she knew going into the trip that the competition would be stiff, but she is certain the experience will push her team toward a successful season.
“I knew this would be a hard trip in part because of the competition and not having been outside as much as the teams we played,” Dodd said. “But both teams responded really well, and I think that in the next week or two, when we have back-to-back matches against teams from around here, our hard work will pay off.”
The tennis teams will face Oklahoma Baptist University at 3 p.m. today at the Laury Tennis Courts in Baldwin City, followed by another home match against Benedictine College at 10 a.m. Sunday. definitely an added bonus.”
Dodd said she knew going into the trip that the competition would be stiff, but she is certain the experience will push her team toward a successful season.
“I knew this would be a hard trip in part because of the competition and not having been outside as much as the teams we played,” Dodd said. “But both teams responded really well, and I think that in the next week or two, when we have back-to-back matches against teams from around here, our hard work will pay off.”
The tennis teams will face Oklahoma Baptist University at 3 p.m. today at the Laury Tennis Courts in Baldwin City, followed by another home match against Benedictine College at 10 a.m. Sunday.
