Women’s tennis continues success

After starting the year 0-4, the women’s tennis team has gone on an extremely impressive nine-game win streak.

The most recent win came on Tuesday, March 14, when the Chanticleers beat the University of Rhode Island Rams 7-0. The doubles pair of Anna Babayan and Megan Hopton has been leading the way for the team in the No. 1 spot. The duo has also recorded nine straight wins at the No. 1 spot.

Head Coach Catherine Hewitt said preparation has been one of the factors in the winning streak they are on.

“They’ve been super disciplined just with the little things like getting a really good warm-up,” Hewitt said.

Coach Hewitt also said the tough schedule they had at the beginning of the season helped them prepare for the rest of the season.

“We had Carolina and Clemson, two top 15 teams, that really helped chisel us and get us saddled and prepared,” Hewitt said. “I attribute it to a little bit of a tough schedule at the beginning but also just the work that the girls are putting in.”

Hopton was also honored as the Sun Belt Conference women’s tennis player of the week. She said that it was nice to finally win the award.

“I was pretty close last year for one week and I didn’t get it, and it was disappointing,” Hopton said. “It was really nice to be recognized by the conference and everybody messaging me was really nice.”

Hopton said she thinks her mentality is completely different this season.

“It’s my last year playing college tennis, and instead of getting frustrated and scared that I’m going to be done I’m just enjoying my last year and having fun playing,” Hopton said.

Babayan agreed, and also said she thinks her mentality has changed this season and that is how she has improved.

“Last year I was sort of in my own head,” Babayan said. “This year my goal is to collaborate with my teammates and trust them and trust the coaches as well.”

Coach Hewitt said she believes this team is unique because of how they have developed great communication skills.

“I think this team is unique because they communicate really well together and they really help each other,” Hewitt said. “I think there’s a lot of positivity flowing, we talk about trying to find solutions to things and not problems.”

The team will try to continue their success against the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns on March 25.