Women’s tennis places sixth in the WIAC

The UW-River Falls women’s tennis season is over after its sixth-place finish in the WIAC conference tournament.

The tournament took place Saturday, Oct. 25 and Sunday, Oct. 26 in Madison, Wisconsin. The winner of the conference is determined by a combination of in-season conference matches and the end of the year tournament.

UWRF went 1-5 during the tournament with its lone victory over UW-Stout. The team finished the season with a 4-7 overall record, which is a major improvement from last season where the team was only able to muster a single victory, finishing 1-9.

Senior Hannah Klimek was named to the WIAC All-Sportsmanship team. The All-Sportsmanship team was chosen for individuals who display great sportsmanship throughout the season.

“She [Klimek] kind of exemplifies what being a good sport and good teammate is all about,” said Head Coach Michele Bailey. “We will miss her a lot next season.”

Klimek is one of only two seniors whom will not be back for next season so the team will be facing bigger expectations next season, with having most of its returning players.

“I think the ante will be upped a little bit [next season] for everybody, including myself,” Bailey said.

Bailey finished her second season as head coach and she thinks that the experience she and the rest of the team has gained this season will pay big dividends next year.

The season is over, but Bailey says that the team still has work to do. During the offseason the team will continue to do strength training two times a week. Then after winter break they will start strength training three times a week.

Some players like to take it easy during the offseason, but Bailey believes that the players will work hard.

“Most of the team is motivated to stay active on their own,” Bailey said.

After the offseason the team will be able to show off their new skills before summer vacation. The Falcons are currently scheduled to play five matches in the spring. The matches take place April 18-20. They are against Hamline University, College of St. Scholastica, UWEau Claire, MSU-Moorhead and the University of Northwestern-St. Paul.

Bailey is particularly excited for the spring season because she can see all of the improvements that the players made during the offseason.

“It is nice to see where our team stands after a half a year off, and also see what we need to work on going forward next year,” Bailey said.

Returning for next year will be sophomore Kayla Rosenow who led the Falcons with four singles victories. Also returning is freshman Molly Deering, sophomore Anna Ebensperger, junior Kelsey Hochberger, freshman Kelsy Johnson and sophomore Lea Zuern.

Hochberger will be the only senior on next season’s squad so she will be looked to provide the team with leadership that they are losing this year.

With all of the experience that is returning for next season it would not be surprising to see the Falcons improve on its 4-7 record from this season.