This year, the women’s tennis team is all about resilience.
After opening the season on a winning streak, having been victorious in three of their previous match ups, it seems they’re on the right path.
“We have a long way to go, but we’re just getting started,” said coach Jon Miedema. “The talent and the work they put in gives me a lot of confidence for the team that we have.”
The team’s goals this year are solid, direct and include more than just performing well on the court. Their sights are set high, as they strive to win the conference title, while meeting their GPA goal.
After graduating key players from the team, the starters are feeling the pressure to perform, but the bond between team members continues to build.
It’s been growing over the past couple of years and is more of a family setting,” said junior Lauren Kaczmarek. “We made a new tradition of going to Michigan and staying with the coach’s family by the lake. We got to do a lot of team bonding that way and it was nice to know the incoming players before we started playing.”
With strong displays of leadership from team captains Miranda Pence and Chelsea Lavin, they’re hoping to sustain their current streak of success.
“Our most important duty as captains is to set an example and a standard for the rest of the team,” said Lavin.
“The most difficult part is putting up an example when you’re having a bad day,” said Pence. “It’s difficult to put certain things aside, but at the end of the day you have to do what’s best for the team.”
Both Pence and Lavin are ready to tackle the duties of captain, and hope to promote even more teamwork and positivity leading into the rest of the season.
It seems to be working, according to Kaczmarek. “Everyone on the team comes to practice with a smile on their face, always in a good mood, and that carries over to our matches as well.”
With 11 more matches to go, their optimism and resilience will be an integral factor for a successful season.
“We have really good depth on the team,” said Lavin. “If everyone continues to challenge each other, to really play their best at all times, I really feel like our team is going to do big things.”
The Vikings will be hosting Wheaton at 11 a.m. on Saturday.