Improvement is the underlying theme of the Seton Hill University (SHU) women’s tennis team. Improvement that is bringing the team leaps and bounds over their new competition.
The Womens tennis team, under the direction of head coach Tony Grenek, has advanced to NCAA status, along with all SHU sports, with the beginning of this season and has improved their game to meet the challenges that having this title brings. “The team has improved greatly compared to last year. Our record may not indicate that but we are much more aggressive, faster, and stronger than last year,” said Grenek.
By Chelsea Oliver
Sports Editor
Improvement is the underlying theme of the Seton Hill University (SHU) women’s tennis team. Improvement that is bringing the team leaps and bounds over their new competition.
The Women’s Tennis team, under the direction of head coach Tony Grenek, has advanced to NCAA status, along with all SHU sports, with the beginning of this season and has improved their game to meet the challenges that having this title brings. “The team has improved greatly compared to last year. Our record may not indicate that but we are much more aggressive, faster, and stronger than last year,’ said Grenek
“It is challenging, the other teams have great serves and strong players,” said Leara Glinzak, a freshman, “the conditioning is intense, but all of this hard work is going to pay off.”
“I love this team and working with each of these girls,” said Daniela Pagan, a junior, “Though the level of playing has been a step up because we’re now in NCAA, this team is great and we have what it takes to win.”
With a small team, it is expected to be hard to keep up with Division III playing. “The toughest part of moving up to the NCAA is the greater level of competition. We are playing schools that offer five and six scholarships to student-athletes and these same schools have wonderful tennis facilities,” said Grenek, “Moreover, the skill level of the student-athletes we compete against now is phenomenal compared to the student-athletes we competed against in the NAIA.”
“The teams we are facing now are good, but they have the funds to bring in those kind of players and have nice facilities,” said Pagan.
However, even with what would be setbacks for some teams, the Griffins will fight through these small struggles to achieve the goals that they have set for themselves.
“Currently, we don’t have any sophomores on the team and I am the only freshman. So if we get more young girls, that can play, we’ll be able to do well. We just need to get more girls involved” said Glinzak.
“I wouldn’t trade these girls for the world. We might not win a whole lot of matches, but we have a great time. These girls are tremendous people and I am proud of them,” said Grenek.