With longer days, blooming flowers and warmer weather comes the start of something new for UC Davis women’s tennis.
Last season, UC Davis women’s tennis rounded the year at 12-10, and reached the quarterfinals at the Big West Women’s Tennis Championship in April. This year, the Aggies look for a fresh start. With four of the team’s ten players being freshman, and a total of only two upperclassmen on the squad, women’s tennis embraces the opportunity to gain experience.
The Aggies officially began their season on January 16, traveling to Tempe, Arizona to face Northern Arizona University. In their first match, women’s tennis proudly brought home the win, defeating NAU 5-2.
The only senior of the team, singles and doubles player, Layla Sanders, demonstrated resilience against NAU, defeating the top seed in the third set after faltering 3-6 in the first. Freshman Jessie Lee, sophomore Kamila Kecki and junior Tiffany Pham, also brought home wins for the singles division on Friday.
Freshman Kristy Jorgensen paired up with the experienced Sanders to play number 1 doubles. The unexpected pair defeated NAU 6-3. Doubles partners, Kecki and sophomore Frederique Sleiffer brought home the second doubles win with a score of 7-5.
With high hopes, the Aggies faced Arizona State, the following day, but faltered, as the rank no. 32 team took the 7-0 win. Despite the loss, Pham and Lee took 8 and 6 games in their respective matches. Jorgensen played her second collegiate match, and was the only Aggie to take Arizona State to the third set.
As for the rest of the season, the Aggies are set to break a record. Scheduled to play 11 straight home games beginning Feb. 28, the Aggies will finish the season with a major home advantage.
