Women’s Tennis remains undefeated: Gusties win 9 straight to start their season

On Saturday, the women’s tennis team added two more wins to their undefeated streak. The team shutout both St. Mary’s University and Luther College to improve its overall record to 9-0.

“Today was a good step in the right direction as we start getting ready for our ranked opponents and division II teams that we have coming up in our schedule.” — Coach Carlson

The same six women won all their matches against the two teams in both singles and doubles on Saturday. The team consisted of Seniors Cal Carlson and Michaela Schulz, Juniors Katie Aney and Ally Baker, and Sophomores Briana Hartmann and Lilly Hartman. The doubles teams were Baker and Schulz, Carlson and Hartmann, and Aney and Hartman.

With the win against St. Mary’s, the Gusties now hold the number two spot in the MIAC, tied with Carleton College, with a 4-0 record. The University of St. Thomas is in first with a 7-0 conference record.

Head Coach Jon Carlson said the team is playing well and will need to keep up this momentum for its upcoming matches. The Gusties are three games behind MIAC leader, St. Thomas, and hope to close this gap by continuing their undefeated streak.

“Today was a good step in the right direction as we start getting ready for some of our ranked opponents and Division II teams that we have coming up in our schedule,” Carlson said.

The Gusties are set to play Minnesota State University-Mankato and Southwest Minnesota State University this upcoming weekend. These teams will be a bigger challenge for the Gusties compared to the games they have played so far. Both of these schools play at the D2 level, offering a larger challenge for the team.

Carlson said he is impressed with the team’s mentality this season and thinks it is a large factor in the team’s success.

“They are really starting to put some points together, playing well, and playing as a team. In an individual sport it is so important to feel that bond when you’re playing next to someone on the court.” — Coach Carlson

“They are really starting to put some points together, playing well, and playing as a team,” Carlson said. “In an individual sport it is so important to feel that bond when you’re playing next to someone on the court.”

The team is not only undefeated, but has yet to be challenged with a close competition this spring season. The Gusties have won eight out of their nine games with a 9-0 shutout. The only game they have not shutout a team during their regular season was against University of Northwestern-St. Paul, when the team won with a score of 8-1.

The Gusties look to continue these commanding victories in their next matches against Minnesota State University-Mankato and Southwest Minnesota State University at 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., respectively, on March 18 in the bubble.

Sophomore Briana Hartmann prepares for a backhand swing during her singles match against a Bethel opponent.