Taylor women's tennis wrapped up its first season back after the program relaunched this year.
The purple and gray finished with a 6-14 overall record and clinched a berth in the Crossroads League tournament, which took place on April 20.
Although their season came to an end in the CL quarterfinals, the team has high aspirations going into next year.
First-year head coach Josh Grubbs faced the challenge of building a program from the ground up, with most of his players making their college tennis debuts. However, he said he was up to the challenge.
“We’re playing against people that have a lot more experience than us,” Grubbs said. “A lot of teams have a lot of seniors and international kids; it’s a big adjustment, and I thought the girls did a great job.”
The Trojans featured five freshmen, with one of these five, Delaney Dahl, joining the team at the start of the spring season. Dahl played No. 6 singles and split time between No. 2 and No. 3 doubles for the Trojans.
“It is cool to understand the game of tennis at a higher level,” Dahl said. “It’s cool to see the jump from high school tennis to college tennis and see how the level has improved, but I also have been able to get better at the same time.”
Sophomore Maddy Fuqua is intentional in building bonds to spur team culture. Fuqua held a 4-0 win playing at No. 3 singles. The double duo of Fuqua and teammate Sarah Scott, who graduated in December, went 4-3 at No. 1 doubles during the fall campaign. Fuqua still found ways to contribute to the team off the court.
“I really just want to continue to encourage everyone and be their biggest fans,” Fuqua said., “I want to support you in school, I support you in class, and I support you in your emotional life and relationships.”
As the Trojans look to build on their inaugural season, they carry high hopes for the next chapter of Taylor tennis.
“We’re competing, we’re having good rallies, and we’re outsmarting teams on points,” Fuqua said. “This is super encouraging and how much further we can get with this being just the first year.”
Grubbs challenges his players to go into each match with a mindset to play their best no matter the numbers on the scorecards.
“We talk about going out and competing no matter if they’re winning or losing,” Grubbs said. “Just go out and compete hard and let the results be what they're going for and never give up.”
The team has found ways to grow even in the losses and lows of the season.
“It's not about winning, it’s about improving and getting better,” Fuqua said, “The wins aren't necessarily that you won the match but that you are competing and that you’re winning points and hustling after every ball.”
Dahl said she has seen the team grow in mental toughness throughout the spring season and also saw the team develop in their mental game.
“We would have less hope for what was to come at the beginning of the season, just because we weren't as experienced,” Dahl said. “The more the season went on, the more we’re able to play better and have more perseverance.”
The Trojans will start their season differently next year, with a season of experience to build on. Fuqua said it’s exciting to have a foundation, compared to a novice year.
With their eyes on the future, the Taylor women's tennis program has just begun.
