BSU GIRLS TENNIS UNDEFEATED

10/02/2013

By Emily Hayes

Comment Staff

Halfway through the season, the Lady Bears are showing they are a force to be reckoned with.

Even with a new head coach this year, the Lady Bears have transitioned well, going 7-0 and 3-0 within the Little East Conference (LEC).

“[7-0] is a number,” said Bridgewater State head coach John Nestel. “It’s nice but the big thing is that the team is improving.”

The Lady Bears have made their undefeated start look easy, as they recently picked up a pair of 9-0 wins against Worcester State University and Western Connecticut State University, respectively.

Last Thursday, they had their closest match of the season, as they narrowly edged Roger Williams University, 5-4.

“From the individual losses, we’ve taken what we can improve upon,” said senior captain Lauren Hopp. “It’s not like we’re being stuck on those matches. Everything you do you can learn from it, even in life.”

Senior Lauren Hopp sprints to catch the return. Kendra Perry photo.

On Wednesday, the Lady Bears stretched their winning streak to seven games, with a 6-3 win over Rhode Island College.

Bridgewater State has made it their mission to put all their focus into their games, and it shows.

“They’re full of determination,” said Nestel. “They compete from the first point to the last point.”

The Lady Bears have received contributions from all their players this season.

“Everyone brings something different to the table,” said senior Jackie McGuirk. “Some of the other girls, they’re fierce. They’re great competitors and other ones, they just know how to get it done. They’ll go out there and you can just see it on their face. They want to be there, they want to work, and they’re going to win that match. And if they don’t win, they’ll go down swinging.”

The team hopes to go back to the LEC title match, where they won last year to reach the NCAA Tournament.

“My overall goal is that we compete very hard each time we’re out on the court and that we’re also maintaining good sportsmanship,” said Nestel. “We strive to get better. And if we do that, everything else will happen.”

The Lady Bears will play again on Saturday, October 5, against the University of Massachusetts at Boston at 12 p.m.

Emily Hayes is a Comment sports writer. Email her at e4hayes@student.bridgew.edu.