The theme for looking back on this year’s men’s and women’s tennis teams seemed to not be about this year at all, but rather looking ahead to the next few. The two young teams ended their strong seasons with many things in mind, but mostly with the knowledge that since everyone’s coming back next year, they can only get better.

With no seniors and only one junior, the men’s team traveled to Delaware, Ohio to compete in the NCAC Men’s Championship. Seeded eighth, the team started the tournament last Friday with a 4-0 loss to Denison University. Friday ended with a 4-1 loss to Wabash College, pitting the Yeomen against Earlham College in a battle for seventh place in the tournament.

“On Saturday, I thought we played as well as we played all season,” Head Coach Don Hunsinger said. The Yeomen lost the contest 4-1, but coach Hunsinger had nothing but praise for their efforts. “They really extended themselves and played hard,” Hunsinger added.

The team finished with a 6-14 record overall, but had a good showing at the tournament for such a young team. In singles the Yeomen played hard fought matches all year long in a very competitive division. “Going down fighting is a good sign for next year,” Hunsinger said.

In doubles, the Yeomen won points which Hunsinger noted as a “big boost for our young kids.” Hunsinger added that first-year Nick Ogren and sophomore Marian Bocek were “a pleasure to watch,” and that they had played “like we knew they could all year.”
On the women’s side, after wrapping up their season a week ago, the team received news that two of their stars had been given all NCAC honors. Junior Alaina Fotiu-Wojtowicz earned a first-team all NCAC honor while first-year Ary Amerikaner received an honorable mention for her singles play. The two, who also competed in doubles, made first-team together with a 17-4 record. After two consecutive seasons with a second-team nomination, Fotiu-Wojtowicz got a first-team berth following a season in which she compiled an 18-5 record in the first spot for singles.

Amerikaner, who was surprised to get the nod in doubles action, said “Alaina and I came a long way, I was really excited.” Amerikaner went 14-4 playing second singles for the Yeowomen, and hopes to step up her play and earn a nomination for a better position in the years to come.
“I’ve been here when tennis was on top,” Hunsinger said, “And I see that we’re headed back in that direction again.”
So is Hunsinger excited about next season because of his two young squads?
“Yes, oh yes!” he exclaimed. “But of course, I’m always excited.”