The Seton Hill Tennis team is currently sporting a record of 3-1 with a group of five girls who have competed against national tennis powers. Although they suffered a bad loss against Carnegie Mellon earlier in the year by a final of 9-0, CMU is among the top powers in the nation.
The first singles were very close as Seton Hill’s senior from Serbia, Isidora Knezevic went 6-3, 4-6, and 11-9 as she fell to Nicholle Torres in Pittsburgh. Although the Lady Griffins lost the games, they have battled back and won every other game they have played this year.
“I honestly feel that a lot of our match play has been from preparing well and practicing more than ever,” said Knezevic.
The Griffins seem to be a force to be reckoned with in the PSAC as they have beaten Saint Vincent College 7-2, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg 6-3 along with Millersville University, another formidable Pennsylvania opponent, by a score of 7-0. Everyone recorded wins in that game, but seniors Sara Ruiz and Isidora Knezevic won both of their sets 6-0.
“I have noticed that we are more comfortable with each other, being around one another each day has built friendships that have helped us become more confident,” said senior Sara Ruiz.
Both international Lady Griffins, Ruiz from Spain and Knezevic from Serbia, are playing in their final spring seasons at SHU this upcoming May.
“This year’s team improved a lot from last year. We got a new assistant coach who used to play for us (Megan Hudak) and we trained more than ever,” said Paula Carvajalino, a junior for the Lady Griffins from Venezuela.
The next opponent in the PSAC was supposed to be Shippensburg University, until the match was cancelled due to weather problems.
A team goal for the Lady Griffins when the spring season rolls around, will be to go to regionals and compete with the nation’s best.
Since tennis is a year long sport, with a preseason in the fall and regular season continuing into the next year, the Lady Griffins look forward to building on their early success.