The women’s tennis team lost to Bates 8-1 last Tuesday. Though the outcome of the match was not in favor of the lady Huskies they remain optimistic about the match. “Playing such a strong team so early gives our young team experience and practice,” said junior Catie McCarthy (Newport, VT).
McCarthy and Katie Welch (Calais, ME), also a junior and the team’s captain, are the only two players returning to the team this year. Welch and McCarthy lead the team with experience and are the team’s top players.
“Welch is one of the top players in the Little East,” said Coach Wayne St. Peter.
In the match against Bates the duo was able to pull out the team’s only victory in singles or doubles action, defeating Bates’ top doubles team 8-5.
“Katie has a good spin serve that they had a hard time returning,” said McCarthy. This serve, combined with the duo’s strong net play made them a formidable challenge for the opposing Bates team.
After ten games the doubles set was tied at 5-5.
“They were very aggressive,” noted McCarthy. This aggressiveness was combated by the junior duo and the match ended with Bates unable to pull off a sweep as the Huskies went on to win the last three games to win the set.
Overall, the loss of this match against Bates produces no doubt in St. Peter’s mind. “They are the youngest team I have had in a long time, but they are athletic and eager to learn,” he said.
St. Peter feels that the team is showing constant improvement. Casting his gaze from court to court he added: “we’re young, but we can’t count ourselves out of the mix.”