Written by Student Assistant Sarah Cornell-Maier
TACOMA, Wash. – The Pacific Lutheran University women's tennis team is headed to Sprinker Recreational Center this weekend to take on a local rival and an international opponent in two non-conference matches to get the team fired up for the impending start of Northwest Conference competition.
The Lutes (1-3) opened up matches against conference opponents in non-conference clashes last weekend, dropping two close matches against both Willamette University and Pacific University down in Oregon.
"Our takeaway from last weekend's road trip to Oregon was some good information on what we need to work on. We go into this weekend's matches with some new tools, strategies, and confidence," said Head Coach Lorrie Wood.
As the Lutes prepare for the start of this season, these non-conference match-ups not only prepare the team for competition, they help to create the mindset and hype that the team needs in order to win matches down the line.
The Lutes will be looking to some of their top performers this weekend, with the likes of senior Caroline Dreher showing signs of early success on the court. Dreher highlighted last weekend for the Lutes, winning both her singles matches at the No. 1 position and earning NWC Player of the Week honors on Monday.
"We have two excellent team captains in senior Caroline Dreher and junior Kristi Floyd who lead this team in working hard, playing hard, and enjoying every minute together. We have some new players, three freshman in the top six this year, who bring a lot of enthusiasm and good tennis skills to the team. This team is very positive, hardworking, coachable, and they have already formed a strong team bond. The sky is the limit in terms of how much this team can grow as players and teammates this season. As these Lutes train hard on and off the court and support their teammates, they get better and better. I am excited for the challenges ahead that will mold and shape this team into the best team we can be."
The Lutes start matches against opponents from the University of Puget Sound at 4 p.m. on Friday at Sprinker Rec Center. Then on Saturday, they face the University of British Columbia at 1 p.m.
