Southwestern Women's Tennis played in the SCAC Conference Tournament, starting their first match on April 27, 2023 and playing in the Championship on April 30, 2023. The tournament was hosted at the Pirates' home courts this year but was conducted as a neutral site. All matches were played until a team clinched. Meaning a team only had the win five of the nine matches to finish the match. Playing on Thursday (April 27), Saturday (April 29), and Sunday (April 30) meant the Pirates were in for a long, hard fought weekend.
On the first day of the tournament, the Pirates faced off against Austin College. Unfortunately, Austin College only had five players forcing them to turn over two matches (line six singles and line three doubles). This put the Pirates up 2-0 before ever starting the match. During doubles, the Pirates played some fantastic doubles, staying aggressive and sticking to their game style. The doubles team of Seniors Nina Mitrofanova and Captain Alli Ziehm along with the team of Freshman Daryl Locke and Senior Taylor Despriet both won their matches, putting the Pirates up 4-0. Entering singles, the Pirates only needed to win one court to clinch. In a quick match, Sophomore Lauren Chisholm clinched for the Pirates at line four singles. Nearly done was Sophomore Captain Erika Synoski, ending up 6-0, 5-0. Thankfully the Pirates went out there and got the job done, putting them through to the next round!
Having Friday off, the Pirates played their second round on Saturday, April 29. The Pirates faced Colorado College during their second match. Starting out in doubles, the Pirates came out strong. However, so did the Tigers. Doubles put the Pirates up 2-1, winning line two and three doubles. Senior Emma Kesterson and Sophomore Captain Erika Synoski played an outstanding match at line three doubles and kept their winning trend this season going. The Tigers' fight at line one doubles was incredible and the Pirates could not quite get the win. However, the Pirates were unfazed going into singles. Remaining calm and battling through every match, Senior Captain Alli Ziehm clinched at line five for the Pirates, making the overall score 5-1. The other two Pirates points were earned by Sophomore Lydia Lee and Junior Syndey Wahl.
The wins against Austin College and Colorado College put the Pirates through to the Conference Championship against Trinity (TX). The Championship match was played on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at 2:00pm.
Knowing they were in for a long match, the Pirates entered the Championship ready to leave everything out on the court. Entering doubles, the Pirates had complete faith in every team. The energy was electric. Doubles put the pirates down 1-2, but they were ready to battle in singles. Senior Emma Kesterson and Sophomore Captain Erika Synoski played an outstanding match together winning, 8-6, at line three doubles. The communication and determination presented during the match by these two was evident and next to none.
Down 1-2, the Pirates were entering their strong suite of the match, singles. The confidence and determination was high among everyone on the team. Those on the outside of the fence were cheering as loudly as they could for their teammates and really kept the positive energy high. Senior Alli Ziehm got the Pirates first singles win at line six, making the overall score 2-2. Tension was high as the long, hard fought matches continued. Senior Taylor Despriet and Sophomore Lydia Lee were both battling in third sets when Trinity (TX) unfortunately won their line one match and clinched at line four. Although the Pirates lost, they left it all out there and worked their hardest. Ending the day, Coach Porter said that he was proud of each and every player, and could not be happier with the way everyone battled.
Thank you to everyone who attended the 2023 SCAC Conference Tennis Tournament. Your support is greatly appreciated and the Pirates had a fantastic season.