Women’s tennis to face Weber at home
An opportunity to repeat a feat it has only accomplished once in its history awaits the Utah State women’s tennis team.
Last season the Aggies defeated Weber State University for the first time since their program started in 1987.
They will have another opportunity Thursday at the Sports Academy and Racquet Club in North Logan.
“I think that we’ll be pretty motivated just because we don’t want them to think last year was a fluke,” said Aggie co-captain Caroline Pollock. “We want to prove that we can beat them again.”
The teams split their series last year, with Utah State winning 4-3 at home and Weber winning 4-3 in Ogden.
“I’m really excited to play and I’m kind of nervous,” said Aggie Carolyn Larsen. “It’s a duel, a battle.”
The victory last season came down to the final match, with then freshman Haley Hawkins pulling out a victory in No. 6 singles.
And although Hawkins has missed the last two matches due to illness, she is expected to return against the Wildcats.
Hawkins was back practicing with the team last week and Head Coach Chris Wright said he expects her to at least play doubles.
“She seems to be hitting the ball pretty well for the time that she’s been off,” he said. “She may get right back in there. I think, it’s fair to say, in doubles she’ll be back. We’ll just have to see how she feels about singles.”
In the first match of the season, Hawkins teamed with Larsen to pick up a doubles victory. Last season the pair was the most successful duo, winning seven matches.
For the past two matches, Larsen has played with two different partners and, although she said it was fun, is looking forward to playing with Hawkins again.
“It’s been really fun being able to play with new partners, but it’s fun to play with someone you know,” Larsen said. “I’m just excited she’ll be back. We’ve grown together so much.”
Utah State (1-2) has had plenty of time to get ready for Weber (1-3), having two weeks off since falling to Idaho State, 5-2, on Feb. 5.
“It’s been good. It’s been a good kind of practice-up period and refocus period,” Larsen said.
Pollock said she felt the team needed the rest, the time to run drills in practice and the opportunity to regain a mental edge.
“I think by the time our match comes around we’ll have had all the practice we needed,” she said.
Although the season is still young, the Aggies have learned from their matches, especially the two losses.
“A loss always helps you evaluate your game and see what you need to work on,” Larsen said.
This season Larsen is playing in the No. 2 singles position, up from No. 5 last season. For her, the losses taught her to focus on playing her game and preparing the same for each match.
Larsen said she psyched herself out at Idaho State because she was focusing on playing at No. 2 instead of just playing her game.
“My goal is to just be me. Not to play as No. 2 but to play as Carolyn,” she said.
The match begins at 1 p.m. and is the second of seven homes matches USU has scheduled this season.
–slbk5@cc.usu.edu