Women’s netters prepare to wind down the season at BWC tourney
Spring semester is winding down and so are the spring sports’ seasons.
The Utah State University women’s tennis team will finish its season playing at the Big West Conference Championships in Ojai, Calif., starting Thursday.
The Aggies finished the regular season 6-8 and will enter the tournament seeded ninth out of 10 teams.
In their first round matchup, the Aggies will face eighth seeded California State University Fullerton at 12:30 p.m.
“I’m really excited just to go play and show what I’ve been working for all season,” Aggie Carolyn Larsen said. “This is a good chance to show that Utah State isn’t just a little college anymore.”
On the season the Aggies have only played two conference matches, the fewest of any team in the tournament.
“It would be nice if everybody played more conference matches,” Aggie Head Coach Chris Wright said. “We’re so isolated it’s tough for us.”
The Aggies also played Fullerton in the tournament last year and defeated them, 4-3.
“I don’t even know the name [Fullerton],” Larsen said. “That’s probably good because a no-faced ball is better than a No. 1 seed.”
Wright said, “I think we stack up pretty well. There are a lot of unknowns. Last year we beat Cal State Fullerton [in the conference championship], and we play them again. I’m going to assume they’re stronger. It will be a good match. It will be a battle.”
Despite the unknowns, Wright said he feels like the team can be competitive.
“We have some good talent,” he said. “I’m just kind of hoping we get what we’re capable of out on the court and have them trust themselves and put out the effort that needs to be out there. I think we’ll be in good shape if we do that.”
Wright said the venue the tournament is being held in is a great tennis venue and there will be a lot of spectators. The spectators really shouldn’t have an effect on the team though, he said.
“If we can play at Cal Poly we can play anywhere,” Wright said. “That’ s the most hostile crowd I’ve ever seen in my life. They were actually heckling us.”
Even though the Aggies are only a ninth seed, Wright said the team won’t be satisfied just going and playing.
“I think they want to push themselves,” he said. “I don’t feel like anybody is going to overpower us. It’s just sustaining the effort.”
Wright said, “They’ve worked hard, they care about each other, they’re pulling for each other when they’re on the court. I hope that translates to us going out there and playing well.”
If the Aggies are victorious over Fullerton, they will advance to Friday’s second round and face No. 1 seeded University of California Irvine.
Larsen said the team is still confident though, even if they must face a No. 1 seed.
“It’s just playing the ball and we have to keep that in mind,” she said. “It’s not a name, it’s tennis.”