Southwestern College Collegian

Issue date: 2/27/08 Section: Sports

Five practices in four weeks is not exactly the circumstances that the men's and women's tennis teams were hoping for this season, but they have been practicing as much as weather will permit. The women's team will kick off their season this Friday at Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma City. The match is a dual, which means they will only be competing against Southern Nazarene. John Paulin, men's and women's coach, knows that this will be a tough match. He said, "It will be difficult for us because of the bad weather and we haven't been able to practice a lot. They are a strong team and they have been able to practice indoor since January." Right now the women who will get to play in this match is still being decided. The men's team will compete in their first match March 13 at home. It will be a dual against Central Christian College. Paulin believes that this match will be difficult as well for the men, but they will have a bit more practice under their belts than the women's team. The men who will get to compete are also still undecided. Last season both teams ended up with two wins and two losses. Those scores will carry over into this season, but will not affect their standing in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, which as of right now has not been determined. The goals for the women's team are simple. "The bottom line is to do the best we can and be competitive in the KCAC and win the conference championship," said Paulin. Lauren Pettey, business administration senior, said, "My goal is to continue the winning tradition and add another regional championship to our record.   I also would like to keep improving both our physical and mental game." Paulin said, "For the men it is tough. We play teams that go to nationals so it is a rough schedule for the men." Jeff Smith, physical education sophomore, said, "My goals for the team are to not give up no matter what the score is, and just give 100 percent every match." Goals for everyone will be improvement and keeping their love of the sport. Paulin said, "We need to keep sharpening our game and our playing ability. We also just want to enjoy and have fun and not get to where it is a tiresome thing." Cameron Siefkes is a sophomore majoring in communication. You may e-mail her at cameron.siefkes@sckans.edu.

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