Grinnell College’s women’s tennis team is dominating the courts early in the season, starting the year with a six-match winning streak.
The team opened Saturday, Sept. 19, with a 7-0 win over Ripon College, before closing out the day with a 6-1 victory over Luther College. They then defeated Cornell College 6-1 on the road on Sunday, Sept. 20, extending Grinnell’s winning streak against Midwest Conference opponents to 60, dating back to the 2018-19 season.
Despite six players graduating last spring, Logan Tom `29 said that the new players on the roster have a tight-knit sense of community.
“We’re all really close, and we work well in practice together,” Tom said.
That connection has also shown up in the team’s individual performances. For the past three weeks, a Grinnell women’s tennis player has been named the Midwest Conference Performer of the Week.
Margot Groundwater `30 earned the honor this week after recording four key victories over the weekend. Before her, Tom and Laurel Buttrick `30 received the award for the previous two weeks.
Margot Groundwater `30 prepares to serve the ball in a doubles match against Luther College on Saturday, Sept. 19. (Meilynn Smith)
“It’s always nice to have some recognition of the things they’re doing from outside sources,” Zack Hasenyager, head women’s tennis coach, said. “It’s great when it’s coming from me, but when other people are also telling you that you’re doing great, it can sometimes feel even more special.”
Groundwater and Buttrick’s recognitions highlight the first years’ impact on the team’s culture so far, according to Marta Gonzalez `29.
“We really like our freshmen,” she said. “They’re really good tennis players.”
The Pioneers’ seniors have also been a key reason for the team’s early success, said Hasenyager.
“We’ve got two seniors on campus in the fall right now, and both have really taken on that responsibility of trying to be leaders in every sense of the word,” he said. The two seniors on the team are Addie Persian and Pari Chavan, both `27.
Although players compete individually during matches, Hasenyager and the players said the team has emphasized staying connected throughout the season.
“Tennis is an individual sport, so it’s good to have moments where we can connect as a team,” Tom said. “We’re still a team, even if we’re playing on separate courts.”
Aside from players, Tom said that the support Hasenyager and assistant coaches have provided throughout the season has made a big impact on the team’s morale.
“They’re just very supportive of us,” Tom said. “On court, they try to help us emotionally and physically just stay in the game and give our best.”
Gonzalez said the coaches are also consistently present during matches, cheering the team on and advising them on the court. “They really want the best for us,” she said.
As the team looks ahead, players said they are optimistic.
“I think we have good matches up, and that it’s gonna be a really good season for us,” Gonzalez said.
The Pioneers will next head to St. Peter, Minnesota on Friday, Sept. 25 for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division III Women’s Midwest Regional Championships, hosted by Gustavus Adolphus College.