By Eliana Shenk ’24, assistant editor

The women’s tennis team is gearing up for the challenges of the upcoming spring season.

After going undefeated in the fall season, the women’s tennis team is looking to take on the new competition of the MAC Freedom conference. In the past two years, the team went 3-2 against the Freedom Conference in head-to-head matchups. This presents a new level of play for the team as it looks to prove itself in the conference.

“I think it’ll be really cool to see new competition and challenge our team further because this conference is harder,” Nicole Honrade, a graduate tennis player, said.

The team won back-to-back MAC Commonwealth Championships and wants to use its strengths to fight for the same in the Freedom Conference. It still has four of its starting six players from the championship teams.

“We have a very deep team; we have a very experienced team, this year especially,” Dr. Noëlle Vahanian, the women’s head coach, said. “I think our strength is grit and I think we have variety in our game.”

The team is looking to take on the new competition head-on. The players want to prove themselves and earn their spot in the conference by leaving their all out on the court.

“I’m excited to go up against Stevens because they are the number one opponent in the MAC right now,” Jacquelyn McBride, a senior tennis player, said. “We’re going to work hard, play hard and see what we can do in the new section of the MAC.”

Moving forward, the team is also looking to build its team chemistry. Many players have been on the team for a while, and they want to continue building those relationships.

“I am really excited to do more team bonding – I love my team so much and I can’t wait to spend more time with them,” Gigi Guay, a sophomore tennis player, said.

The team’s first match this spring is on Sunday, Feb. 25, against Wilkes University.