Written by Macy Cox // Graphic by Wagner Valdez
The men’s and women’s tennis teams lost to Drury University Feb. 10 but won against Emporia State University Feb. 11 at the Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield, Missouri.
The Lady Bisons left Saturday night after losing 4-1 to Drury and winning 6-1 against Emporia State. Juniors Grace Dodd and Rachel McCrae won 6-4, and seniors Lina Romero and Jing Jing Yang won 7-5. Before the weekend, the Lady Bisons were 1-2 for the season, but are now 2-3.
“This match was a good confidence booster and allowed for team bonding from the travel, matches and long nights,” Dodd said. “My motivation is to play for a bigger power than myself, like my teammates, this University, but most importantly God. I am playing for the glory of God, win or loss, and I couldn’t be more excited or motivated.”
Romero said she believes the team will do well.
“This is going to be my last season, and I am very motivated,” Romero said. “I really want to go to nationals this time with my team, and I think we can do it if we all keep doing everything right.”
The Bisons lost to Drury 5-2 and beat Emporia State by seven. Freshman Cian Mikkelsen and sophomore Cas de Ruiter won 6-1 in doubles, and senior Dani Ortiz and sophomore Teodor Zlatar won 6-3. This gave the Bisons a 1-1 record for the season.
“I am really looking forward to seeing what we can do as a team, not only in the conference but also the region and on a national level,” de Ruiter said. “I think we have a very strong starting line-up and are very scary in comparison with other teams. I’m confident at the moment because I had a good season, and I can feel that my level in tennis is growing.”
The Lady Bisons will play in Dallas against Texas A&M University at Kingsville at 1 p.m. Feb. 18 and against University of Texas at Dallas Feb. 19 at 11 a.m.
The Bisons will play Feb. 19 at 11 a.m. against University of Texas in Dallas then compete with Mississippi College at 10 a.m. on Feb. 20 in Memphis, Tennessee.
