In their second season headed by Coach Charlie Ellis, the women’s tennis team welcomes seven new players to their roster. The recruits include five first years, one junior transfer, and one senior who did not play on the team during their first season. “The [new players] definitely bring a new culture to the tennis team,” says senior captain, Jennifer Iacucci, “since they are so young and [are] learning at a rapid pace, they have a bright future.”
Senior, Jennifer Mechler, said, “[Our bigger team] brings more competition, more resilience.” The returners have improved and they are able to teach the new players who have high school experience. Iacucci commented that, “Skills have gotten better, confidence levels have grown, and [they are gaining an] understanding of collegiate tennis.” However, not everyone is able to travel when they have away games. Coach Ellis maintains that the team, “plays together competitively every day. [He plays] everybody in exhibition matches to get experience.”
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All the returners are with new players so even [if] they are not playing, they can still be a part of the team,” said junior captain, Bethany Chesebro. The women’s tennis team arrived early before school started for preseason among other fall sports. Iacucci said, “It was easier to have good team chemistry during preseason. We are intentional about the time we spend together.”
The women’s tennis team is currently 2-6 overall, but these scores do not show the improvements they have made from last season. This year, the team is able to conduct themselves better in matches because they know the rules and know what to expect. Coach Ellis’ main goal was to win at least two matches and they have already achieved that. Iacucci shared the team’s main goals are to: “slowly work [their] way up the ladder in each match, [win] at least individual matches, be friendly, have the highest team GPA on campus, be a well-rounded team, and [be] visible and supportive of [each other] in all that [they] do.”
Throughout the year, the team aspires to grow spiritually as well. Before matches, they invite their opponents to pray with them so everyone remembers they are playing for the glory of God. Prayer as a group and with their prayer partners is a big part of their devotionals, headed by the team chaplain, senior, Andrea Melhorn. “Prayer partners are a good idea because you can hold someone accountable,” said Chesebro. Beyond attending church and doing devotions together, they are currently planning a mission’s trip to the Dominican Republic for preseason next year.
Since the start of this season, women’s tennis has shown signs of progression and improvement. Chesebro said, “He exposes us to competitive play and it has helped us because we are now able to compete with other teams in the conference.” However, Coach Ellis wants his girls to know that being competitive is not their sole focus as a team so they should not walk away discouraged from any match. He does not see the girls just as tennis players, but is invested in their lives off the court. Coach Ellis wants, “[His seniors] to enjoy their last year and to pass on the culture [they have] created to the new players by respecting one another, being thankful for what God’s given [them], honoring what [they] are doing, and not being self-centered.”