Ryan NorrisAfter playing four matches Cabrini’s women’s tennis team is 3-2 and still going strong. With two losses and three shutouts the team shows promise and is expected to make playoffs this season according to the coach and players.
The first match was a disappointing loss to Richard Stockton College, 2-6, but came back strong with a shutout against Alvernia College ,9-0. In the following match Cabrini played Gwynedd-Mercy College where Cabrini’s new head coach, John Magee, previously was the assistant coach to the tennis teams there. It was a close match with an ending score of 4-5 making it Cabrini’s second loss thus far this season. The next match was against Neumann College, and Cabrini gained their second shutout of the season with a score of, 9-0. A Sept. 15 match against Immaculata University was suspended to Sept. 29 due to scheduling problems. Cabrini’s third shutout this season came in a match against Villa Julie College, 9-0.
This season’s goals focus on having a good time, respecting each other and their opponents, and overall player development. The team has been able to keep up with their goals even though four players did not return this season due to reasons such as minor injuries, work, and academics. One senior did return making the team fairly young with two juniors, five sophomores, and two freshmen.
Losing players has not been the only struggle the team has faced. Last years coach, Reggie Day, was replaced with new coach John Magee. “Reggie’s expectation was to do good,” sophomore Jackie Creighton said, “where John’s more of a teacher.” Previously Magee was the assistant coach for both men’s and women’s tennis teams at Gwynedd-Mercy College. He also works with an annual summer special needs clinic called “Touch of Tennis.”
“I love coaching at Cabrini,” Magee said. “It’s been a great experience so far and I really like the college atmosphere here.” Magee would like the team to work more on playing under pressure and maturity, which he is confident they will achieve over time through experience.
The season is still early but for the most part the team has been thriving despite the struggles they have faced early on. “This season took a lot of adjusting,” sophomore Victoria Nicodemus said, “to a new schedule and coach. So far we had one disappointing match against Gwynned Mercy but the rest have been pretty successful.”
Later on in the season Cabrini will face their hardest competitor, Marywood University, the defending Pennsylvania Athletic Conference champions. Last year Cabrini placed at a strong second. The team is looking forward to playoffs where they hope to defeat Marywood University and take the PAC title.
Posted to the web by Ryan Norris
