Story by Taylor Hodges, Sports Editor
Photo courtesy of Andris Visockis

The Aquinas Women’s Tennis team is off to a great start early in the season after posting a 2-2 record. The Saints started things off with an 8-1 over Huntington before dropping a 2-7 match-up against fifth ranked Cardinal Stritch. Senior Leia Jansen won at number one singles while the doubles team of Jansen and first-year Martina Devetak won at number one doubles.

The team dropped a close match against Lewis on February 20 before gathering themselves and sweeping Salem 9-0. Before spring break, the team will take on Ferris State in Big Rapids for a February 28 match-up. During spring break, the Saints will take on the likes of Keiser, Northwestern College, McMurray, Marian, and Southeastern before returning for a home bout against St. Francis.

The team only has one first-year player in Devetak who hails from Lviv, Ukraine. Devetak is 2-0 at the number one and two singles spot on the year.

Jansen looks to continue the success she had last year at the number one singles spot. Jansen posted a 15-2 record last year going 5-0 in the WHAC helping the Saints finish with a 17-11 overall record.

The team has seven returning members in juniors Brittany Mayer, Kasey Jacobs, Kali Green, and Becca Hurth, with Jansen, Marjeanne Bothma, and Anna Musiyenko being the only seniors.

Bothma posted a 9-10 record last year competing at the number four, five, and six singles spots while Mayer posted 6-5 record at the five and six singles spots.

Returning at the helm is third year coach Jordan O’Neill who will look to continue the success he’s had in previous years.

With seven players from last years squad not returning this year, the Saints will be looking to practice hard and have a successful spring break to carry over into the regular season.

If you wish to see the team in action make sure to come out to MVP in Grand Rapids for an upcoming home match.

About the writer…

Taylor Hodges is a senior majoring in Sport Management/ Business Administration. He is the sports editor for The Saint and interns with the public relations department for the Grand Rapids Griffins. He hopes to one day break into the hockey business as a General Manager, but until then, encourages you to follow him on Twitter and download his mixtape.