The Hillsdale women’s tennis team is preparing for their first match of the season under new head coach, Liam Fraboulet.
Former head coach, Nicole Walbright, transitioned from her position on the tennis team to take on new roles as the Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator.
“I have been the Women’s tennis coach since the 2011 season when the program was revived and have loved every moment of my experience,” Walbright said.
Walbright is confident in the players’ growth for this coming season and believes they are more than prepared to face this season’s challenges.
Junior Helana Formentin said she is looking forward to working with Fraboulet.
“Although the transition may be difficult at first, I think coach Liam will be very good for the program and will develop us into better tennis players,” Formentin said. “I am personally excited to see my growth as a player with the instruction of a new coach.”
Fraboulet is optimistic about the season and hopes to achieve something special this year as he gets to know the team members better.
“A new beginning might be our theme for the season,” Fraboulet said. “Coach Walbright has done a tremendous job in the past few years growing this team to where it is today and I hope I can bring something new to the team to bring us to even greater success.”
The team will play at Saginaw Valley on Sept. 18, to kick off its fall season.
“This season, I am most looking forward to growing together as a team and truly becoming an unstoppable force together all the way through GMACs,” sophomore Courtney Rittel said. “I could not have asked for a better group of girls and I am so excited to compete with them again this year.”
Rittel has great faith in how far the team’s comradery and support will take them this season.
“Our greatest strength going into the fall will probably be the incredible team comradery that we have and the incredible support that we all share for each other,” Rittel said. “Tennis is a very mentally straining sport as you may have to be on the court for hours on your own trying to take down your opponent, yet that burden is made much lighter when you know you have a team behind you that believes in you and is supporting you every step of the way.”
Returning to teammates who have improved on their skills over the summer is something Rittel looks forward to every season.
“As much as the summer was a wonderful time for the girls to improve and develop new skills,” Rittel said. “It has been fantastic to be back together, reconnect with the team, and to see how all of their hard work over the summer has paid off, as all of our hard work will not only strengthen our own games, but also help push the team as a whole to improve and play even better tennis.”
According to Fraboulet, the team’s bond and experience will be their most valuable asset.
“We currently have 11 players on the roster but only two freshmen so most of the girls already know each other from last season,” Fraboulet said. “I think that the great bond those players have will be a great strength for us this year.”
Fraboulet spoke highly of the seniors and the integral part they play on the team.
“We have a lot of seniors that have been successful in the past,” Fraboulet said. “I believe that they will help the team tremendously this year.”
The women’s tennis team is eager to kick off this season and ready for all that Fraboulet has in store for them.
“We have a lot of very strong players that will help us succeed, but our bond as a team and our dedication will ultimately get us the wins,” Formentin said. “We are a very close team that leans on each other in the difficult times and lifts each other up in the good. All of us want what is best for each other and work hard to meet our goals.”
