SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s tennis team is set to begin its 2021 season this Friday when they travel to Winona to compete against the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. The team went undefeated in conference play (3-0) and 3-5 overall before the pandemic struck down the remainder of their season. The Gusties finished second in the conference in 2019 and brought home the conference title in 2018.
Watch Court 1 | Watch Court 2 |Watch Court 3 |Watch Court 4 |Watch Court 6
“It’s been exactly a year to the day since this weekend since the team has played against outside competition, said Head Coach Jon Carlson who is in his 31st season at the helm. “We’re very excited to get back to some sort of normalcy as far as a tennis season goes and I know that the team is really pumped to play this weekend. This years team consists of incredibly hard workers. Their intensity at practice has been off the charts, they’re disappointed when I don’t push them hard enough. Their desire to improve both as individuals and as a team is inspiring to me.”
Top returners from the squad include Simona Potockova (Jr., Nova’ Dubnica, Slovakia), Anna Stutz (Jr., Dellwood), Ginger Valentine (Sr., Delano), and Hannah Borgh (Sr., Bettendorf, Iowa). Each received all conference honors in their 2019 campaigns.
“Our seniors have done a great job as far as guiding the team, especially through this pandemic. When you are practicing in November or going over to hit in January and you’re unsure of when your next match is going to be- leadership at those times has been crucial. Hannah Borgh, Hannah Gronseth (Sr., Edina), and Ginger Valentine have all done a great job of that.”
The squad has gained three first-years while returning five sophomores, and seven juniors. “In our home matches I’m looking forward to the fact that we have a big team, so even though we don’t have spectators it’ll give us a home court advantage.”
The season will consist of 10 conference matches and six non-conference matches. “As far as conference goes it’ll be an advantage to have the home court but there’s something to be said for getting on the road with the team and traveling as well but we’ve had plenty of experiences so far and unique ones to this year where we can get together as a team.”
The 2021 campaign begins with the team traveling to Winona to compete against UW-Whitewater followed by a home match on Saturday against Luther at 1:30.