Repeating past success can often be a challenge, one that the women’s tennis team is currently faced with. The reigning conference champions look to continue their winning ways through the fall season. The small nine player team boasts a No. 1 seed in Samantha McEachran who was also last spring’s player of the year, and who head coach Shauna Krentz is sure will receive the award again this fall due to her record.
“She’s undefeated in singles, what else can I say” coach Krentz said
However, the women’s tennis team did not have the best start to their 2021 season after losing two of the four players who reached regionals last season. Despite this setback, the effect will likely be temporary because two new freshmen were added to the team, and by the looks of it, they have plenty of potential.
“They have been playing well and I anticipate good things from them,” Krentz said.
On an even more positive note, women’s tennis has retained senior Abigail Nix. Nix is the only senior and probably one of the more experienced players on the team, since she has played for West for three years. Abigail began as an exhibition player and has since risen to third seed.
“She [Abigail] is a great example of what you can accomplish with a lot of determination in the off-season, with lessons and lots of practice,” Krentz said.
Women’s tennis is 8-5 overall after its final week of the regular season. Of those eight wins, one was an exciting victory over Reagan where No. 9 Sofia Tomay and No. 11 seed Keisha Parentila played a 7 point tiebreaker for the win in doubles.
“They played very well together in spite of the pressure, as the entire match came down to them. It’s not like any match is more important, but when you’re the last one out there, the pressure can get to you,” Krentz said.
With the conclusion of the regular season, women’s tennis will set its sights on the conference championship. Where, despite some setbacks, the team will look to repeat the success of last season.
“The team has done so great this season, we have done so good at getting closer and working together, I think the conference championship will fall in our favor. We have all worked really hard to get where we are,” sophomore Samatha McEachran said.
The conference championship for women’s tennis begins on Oct.12 at Mt. Tabor with matches throughout the day. Many of those matches crucial to the Titans’ campaign to repeat as champions.