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Aggies set individual and team records

Kalen Taylor, staff writer

In its inaugural year in the Mountain West Conference, the Utah State women’s tennis team has raised the bar. The Aggies have set a new school record for team wins in a season at 13.

Coming off of a disappointing three-win season last year, USU has exceeded expectations set by many. However, in his first season as coach, Sean McInerney has believed in his team from the beginning.

“It was one of the goals we set in the fall, and to be able to accomplish that has made this season a huge success,” McInerney said. “To win 13 matches in our first year in the Mountain West is phenomenal.”

The previous school record for wins in a season was 12 set by the 2004-05 squad. On April 6, USU tied the mark when they defeated Northern Arizona 4-1. On April 11, the women added one more win with a 6-1 victory over Colorado State to take the record outright.

To go along with the team’s 13 wins, junior Mckenzie Davis has posted a 17-5 record at the No. 1 singles spot. The 17 singles wins in one season eclipses the previous record of 16, set by Courtney Anderson in 2005-06.

“We had some struggles, but overall we’ve been playing pretty well. We just want to play every team tough,” Davis said. “I personally feel extremely happy with 17 singles wins this season. I’m very proud to represent and leave a mark for Utah State.”

Davis set the new record playing in the No. 1 singles spot all season. The Aggies have played off of strong individual players who lead and then build the team up around them. Having reached new heights already this season, USU will return every player on the roster for next season.

“A team record like that means everything,” McInerney said. “It’s by far the most important record we could break. It’s more important than any individual record we could ever accomplish.”

With the regular season now finished, there is still one more chance to for the team to better its final record in the Mountain West Tournament. The tournament, which will begin on Wednesday, April 23 and last two days, will be held in Fresno, Calif.

kalen.s.taylor@aggiemail.usu.edu
@Kalen_Taylor