Lady Bears Tennis off to hot start, holding first place

09/25/2014

By Tamas Bodrog

Comment Staff

The women’s tennis team is off to a flying start this season. They are leading 4-1 on the scoreboard with there two most recent victories coming against Salem Street and Western Connecticut, respectively. But what is the secret behind all the achievements?

Coach John Nestel, who is going into his 2nd season at BSU, has all the answers.

“We have strong team unity this year. As a coach, my strategy is simple: I tell my team not to think about how matches will go, just bring the best attitude to the court. We are going to compete just like last year and implement some new strategies,” said Nestel.

Just like Nestel, Team Captains Alison Vautrin, a junior, and Rachel Eramo, a senior, agree that freshmen are bringing the energy right now.

“We have 5 new freshmen who are very enthusiastic and excited,” said Vautrin.

The team captains expect to gather a young team this year that is supportive and puts cohesion at the forefront. Despite their vastly different game plans, with Eramo playing an ‘adjust to hit against other players’ tactic, Vautrin is all offense. Yet they still manage to play No. 2 doubles together.

The new freshman to watch this year is Alicia Silva. She plays No. 3 singles and No. 1 doubles and has a 4-1 record this year.

“I am always the last one to finish on court. Right now my goal is just to be part of the team as long as I can,” she said.

Silva is very proud of the team and her record so far, and has enjoyed playing tennis since a young age.

The girls still have a long way to make the NCAA finals, which they did in the last 3 years.

“We are going to have to beat Rhode Island in order to do it. They are our strongest rivals and get stronger every year,” said Eramo.

With a great record to start, that may prove easy to do.

Tamas Bodrog is a Comment staff writer. Email him at tbodrog@student.bridgew.edu.

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