After a weekend full of CCIW competition against Carthage College and Carroll University, the Augustana women’s tennis team sits at 7-0 overall with a 6-0 in conference play.
On Saturday, Oct. 6, the team defeated Carthage College, with sophomore Annie Timm leading the way with a victory in second singles. They followed up their win with a 9-0 victory over Carroll University on Sunday, Oct. 7.
Timm, who has a 10-2 singles record, talked about the team’s success over the weekend.
“We beat Carthage 9-0, which my coach said he hasn’t seen in his 8 years coaching at Augustana,” Timm said. “Everyone played super well. I also think I was on my game today so I was pleased with that.”
Senior captains Maddie Lombardi and Caitlyn Schaffer led the way against Carroll with an 8-4 win. Lombardi discussed the team’s success, detailing what has helped her and Schaffer begin the season 6-0 in CCIW play.
“We’re just really comfortable with each other, and I think that since we’re all returning as a team, we’re all really supportive and we’re really comfortable with each other now, which I think has helped a lot,” Lombardi said.
The team, which did not graduate any seniors last year, has benefited from the ample experience they gained in competition last season. Adding just two freshman to the roster, head coach Jon Miedema explained how previous experience has helped his team this season.
“From a leadership standpoint, we didn’t have any seniors on our team last year, so our juniors were navigating through that, and to see them as seniors stepping up into that role even more is helpful for our team,” Miedema said. “Last year, we had a lot of freshmen who were going through everything for the first time, and so I think they’re better equipped in what’s ahead and what it entails to win out on the court.”
Unlike most sports, the women’s tennis season focuses on CCIW play in the fall, with the conference tournament held Oct. 18-20, then turns to NCAA postseason play in the spring. The top four teams from the fall CCIW tournament advance to an NCAA qualifier in April of 2019.
With such a long season, the team uses the fall to focus on establishing positive mental approaches, developing their skills and growing team chemistry while still competing at a high level.
Lombardi explained the importance of having positive support from teammates.
“Support and team spirit – I think that plays a huge role in team dynamics,” Lombardi said. “When you’re on court for the third hour and you’re in a tiebreaker, you’re sweaty and your body’s giving out, you need your team to support you.”
The team will finish its fall season at home against Wheaton College on Saturday, Oct. 13 before competing at the CCIW tournament, which will be held at the Quad City Tennis Club the following weekend.
Photo Above: Caitlyn Schaffer, senior, during Tennis practice on Oct. 4. Photo by Sarah Major.