Women’s tennis dreams big
The Lady Flames gear up for their fall season in prep for next spring
The women’s tennis coaching staff has put some plans into place to ensure the hunger for a Big South championship is greater than ever.
A photo hangs directly next to the door to the team locker room.
It serves as a visual representation of the sting of defeat, according to junior and team captain Evangeline Crist.
RETURN — Valerie Thong moved for a return shot for the Lady Flames last season. Photo credit: leah Seavers
The picture has pushed each individual on the team to work even harder to get to the next level.
“They printed out the picture of us receiving the award for second place, and none of us were smiling whatsoever,” Crist said.
Following a disappointing end to their 2015-16 campaign, they are looking to bounce back to reach their goals.
Last season, the Lady Flames held home court advantage in the 2016 Big South Championship, only to fall to Winthrop 3-4 in the championship match.
“I think that losing that match, as painful as it was, could end up being a very good thing,” Head Coach Jeff Maren said.
“The hunger that they have is much greater. I think they’re tasting it more now.”
“I have honestly seen a difference from last year to this year,” Crist said.
“I think (the loss) was helping over the summer in that we all worked extra hard in little aspects to improve in little ways and that will make a big difference.”
As they move through the new season, the Lady Flames will look to steadily improve in order to peak at just the right time.
The NCAA tennis season is unique in that it is divided into two parts: the fall season and the spring season. During the fall season, teams play in non-conference tournaments, whereas the spring season focuses mainly on playing against conference opponents.
“The first part of the season is about being tested,” Maren said.
“We want to try to force our players to rise to another level. The last part of our season is our conference schedule, and that’s where we want to build our confidence and roll through the conference heading into the tournament.”
While the women’s program has grown to achieve many firsts in recent years, such as beating nationally ranked teams and being nationally ranked itself, there is a singular goal to be met this year — the Big South Championship.
“At this point my only description of success is that we accomplish the goal of winning the conference championship,” Maren said.
Championship status is a goal that has resounded with the entire team.
“I think if we all work well together then the success of winning the Big South will come with that,” Maren said.
The nine members of the team will play in four more events in the fall before gearing up for
conference play in the spring, and the defining moment of the year will come April 17, 2017, at the Big South Championship.
KEATING is a sports reporter.