By Meredith Haas ’24, editor
During the 2022 spring sports season, the Lebanon Valley College tennis teams accounted for two of the three championship titles won.
Becoming a conference championship team is hard work, but a repeat championship win is even more difficult. This year, both the men’s and women’s tennis teams will be pushing hard to win the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Commonwealth Championship for the second year in a row.
In the previous season, the women’s tennis team boasted an impressive record of 15-5, having a perfect 7-0 record in conference play.
The women have returned five of their six starting players, while also gaining a new top six player, making them a force to be reckoned with. Yet this year, the team has undergone changes in the form of coaching staff. Jeff Robbins and Mark Seaton, two experienced and active members of the local tennis community, will serve as interim coaches.
“I am excited to take on the challenge of building on last year’s success,” Jeff Robbins, LVC professor and interim head coach, said. “The team had one of the most successful seasons in program history with an undefeated conference record, championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance.”
LVC was ranked first in the 2023 MAC Commonwealth Women’s Tennis Coaches’ Preseason Poll. Among the team’s top competition this year will be the York College of Pennsylvania Spartans, who received two first place votes, and the Alvernia Golden Wolves.
“We have tremendous players back this season, so I’m hoping we can repeat as back-to-back champions,” Robbins said.
Last spring, the men’s tennis team was 16-7, also going a perfect 7-0 against in-conference opponents. All of last season’s starting players will return to this season’s starting lineup. This depth will be a challenge for many teams to match, putting LVC in a good position for success.
Like the women’s team, the men were ranked first in the 2023 MAC Commonwealth Men’s Tennis Coaches’ Preseason Poll. Stevenson and Messiah will likely be some of the Dutchmen’s top competition.
Practices are fully underway, and each team is looking off to a strong start.
Both teams will begin competition with a trip to Hilton Head Island. When they return, the season will be in full swing, with both teams ready to take on the challenges that come with shooting for a conference championship.
For the full schedule for both teams, head to www.godutchmen.com.