Women’s tennis faced a difficult weekend, losing both Saturday and Sunday, during its inaugural matches on the Mary Jane Delp Courts.
The Chargers lost to Grand Valley State University 7-2 Saturday and Ferris State University 5-4 Sunday, although they put forth a strong effort, head coach Nikki Walbright said. That puts the team at 3-3 for the season.
Despite the results of the hard-fought matches, players said they remain confident in the team’s talent, knowing it could have gone either way, sophomore Halle Hyman said.
“We were very close in almost all our matches,” Hyman said. “We walked away from the end of it, saying, ‘We totally could’ve beaten that team.’”
Walbright said Hyman was a highlight during a tough weekend. She won her matches at No. 1 singles both days, getting a boost from the friends and family who could watch her play at the new home courts, she said.
“I was happy I went out and played fearless,” Hyman said. “In the beginning of the season, I was playing with a lot of nerves and anxiety. This weekend…I left it all out on the court and tried my best.”
On Saturday, the Chargers knew they were facing a challenge in GVSU, who typically ranks in the conference’s top two teams, Hyman said. Immediately, they felt the pressure, as the Lakers swept the tight doubles matches 9-7, 8-6, 8-5.
“I was a little frustrated after my doubles match, because we were up 7-2 and ended up losing 9-7,” Hyman said. “But after the disappointment, I said, ‘It’s time to bear down.’ I knew the rest of my team would, and it was my job to do so.”
After a long haul, Hyman came out on top in singles 6-4, 3-6, 11-9. Sophomore Madeline Bissett at No. 3 singles did likewise 6-2, 7-6. But GVSU didn’t let up, as sophomores Corinne Prost and Julia Formentin, senior Dana Grace Buck, and freshman Kamryn Matthews fell to their opponents.
“We went after every match, even though we lost them,” Hyman said. “I think our fight was really good.”
Realizing they were so close, the women went into Sunday ready to play with a fresh slate against Ferris, Prost said.
“I think we have the team of the best fighters in the whole GLIAC,” Prost said. “We came out Sunday feeling just as fresh as we had Saturday, and we had no regrets. We didn’t take it as a loss. We felt it was an opportunity to get better.”
After the doubles competitions, the Chargers were ahead 2-1. Hyman and freshman Katie Bell teamed at No. 1 for a 8-4 victory, and Buck and Bissett, No. 3 doubles, won 8-5. Prost and Matthews lost their match 8-6.
But in singles, the Chargers met some greater challenges, Hyman said. She won 6-2, 6-4, and Prost was victorious at No. 2 6-1, 7-6. Bissett, Buck, Matthew, and Formentin, however, lost to the Bulldogs.
“Every point that came on, I said a quick prayer because I knew it was a tough match,” Prost said. “I would go out with each point being a new point.”
Walbright said she was proud of her team for persevering.
“It was disappointing loses both days,” Walbright said. “But we have to bounce back.”
She said she is preparing the team to do so with a mixture of rest and practice after facing a high volume of work in recent weeks.
“The team just needs to go in with a clear mind next weekend,” Hyman said. “We know they were close matches and that we are still a very talented team.”
