Just keep swinging

Ferris men's and women's tennis approach a competitive stretch of matches

The Ferris men’s and women’s tennis teams are currently coming off two huge victories against Southern Indiana, March 2 and Salem International, March 4. 

The men defeated Southern Indiana 6-3 and the women were victorious 5-4. Against Salem International, the men dominated 7-2 and the women swept 9-0. 

The men’s team has been on a tear since their spring season opening loss to the University of Indiana Feb. 3, winning nine of their last 10 matches including six straight. The team is currently 9-2 overall on the season. 

“After winning three or four in a row it can be easy to get relaxed and want to just coast through the next couple, so going into every match, we are focused on what we need to do to get it done,” Ferris junior Stew Snell said. 

The six-match win streak consists of wins against Southern Indiana and five straight road wins in Hilton Head, S.C. 

“Coach has been stressing for us to be ready and make sure we stay focused because all the matches were outside so adjusting from indoors to outdoors is very tough and it is completely different,” Ferris sophomore Austin Debruyne said. 

The team opened up a three-match homestand starting on Feb. 23 against Lewis University and finished up with Lake Superior State University on Feb. 25 at the Ferris Racquet and Fitness Center. 

“I think coming together as a team is very important and we proved it showing a lot of energy on the court. We have been practicing a lot on our body language when we play and when we practice,” Ferris sophomore Pablo Munoz Baroja said. “The whole team is focused on going one match at a time but if there is a match we want to do well against it is Grand Valley, our biggest rival.” 

Meanwhile, the Ferris women’s tennis team is focusing on find consistent play. 

The team has dealt with many injuries this season and getting healthy is on the minds of all the players and coaches of the Bulldogs. 

“We just came back from our spring break trip down in South Carolina where our coach had to deal with both the men’s and the women’s team at the same time. This was the first time doing so while being at Ferris,” Ferris sophomore Silvia Verebes said. “We had matches going on at the same time and I think he did a good job making sure everyone had what they needed and focusing on the specifics of each player.” 

The women’s team has shown flashes of dominating play against Salem International and Southern Indiana. However, there has also been inconsistent play in their losses against Hillsdale 8-1, Feb. 24 and 7-2 against Newberry University, March 6. 

“The key for our team is coming together and realizing that we can control the outcome and in what direction the team is going,” Ferris junior Nika Hein said. “Over the past weeks we have become a true team, on and off the court. We are all on the same page and by being determined and giving our practice and play one-hundred percent every, we are moving in the right direction.” 

The team is currently 2-3 in their first five spring matches and will return home to the Ferris Racquet and Fitness Center to host Lewis University, March 23.

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