 "Photo: Daniel Flores")
They came back empty-handed on a three-day road trip last weekend, extending their record to 0-9. Injuries have taken their toll on the Lady Broncs tennis team, leaving them a player short in several instances throughout the season, which means they have had to have near perfect days to win.
This was the case last weekend where the team lost a 7-0 decision to the University of Texas-El Paso at El Paso Thursday, a 5-2 setback to New Mexico State at Las Cruces Friday, and a 6-1 defeat to Northern Arizona again at El Paso, Saturday.
“This whole season has been crazy. It seems we’re always missing a player,” said graduate assistant Maria Klokotzky, who traveled with the team in place of head coach Chris Taylor’s absence due to personal matters. “It automatically puts us down three points, which makes us rely on four players to have flawless matches. Winning four out of four matches begins make us lose hope.
“It’s been a very difficult season so far mentally especially for the girls who are out and have to watch from the sidelines knowing they can‘t help their team. There’s just a lot of emotions that the team is going through right now.”
In the three competitions this weekend UTPA lost seven matches by default because it didn’t have enough players.
Senior Megan Bedeau admits it’s been hard on the team having to start off days with a disadvantage because of the added pressure it puts on the team. Senior Oakville, Ontario, Canada native Sarah Burton is the latest Lady Bronc on the injured list.
On Friday, the best day of the three for UTPA and Bedeau, she and senior Luisa Cantu handed NMSU the first loss of the day, beating the Lady Aggie No.1 doubles team 8-4.
In the No. 2 spot Bedeau picked up the only singles win by beating Manon Sylvain 6-2, 6-4.
“They tried to intimidate us by being loud, obnoxious and ignorant, but me and Luisa counteracted them by being as loud as them,” the nursing major from Scarborough, Ontario, Canada said. “We came through. In my singles match I toned it down and stayed calm and focused on every point.”
Klokotzky expressed amazement for Bedeau and Cantu’s performances against NMSU.
“They came out blasting against their No.1 doubles team,” she noted. “They closed the net so aggressively and maintained a positive energy. As a coach I had to sit there enjoy it and say nothing because they were amazing.”
Even though the hardships continue, Bedeau said the team tries to keep a positive outlook. Learning from every match they play, the women leave the sour taste of losing and maintain focus on their ultimate goal, winning the Great West Conference tournament in late April at Grand Forks, North Dakota.
“I know every girl out there goes out and plays their hardest. One hundred and ten percent every time,” she said.
On Saturday against the Lumberjacks UTPA’s only win came from No. 3 singles player Nina Ciric, who took out Aimee Oki, 6-1, 6-3.
The senior Subotica, Serbia, native has been the Lady Broncs’ most consistent player, leading them in wins with a 4-1 mark.
It’s not about wins and losses anymore for the Lady Bronc but rather getting into a grove for the conference tournament.
Be the first to comment on this article!