The Central women’s tennis team lost its top two players from last year to graduation, and last year’s number three is studying abroad this fall.
The means that all of the returning players will be taking a big jump in the level of competition they’ll be facing on the court. Senior Ashley Maley, who played number four singles last year, is the likely number one this year.
Coach Ryan Ferrell says that it’s tough to prepare ahead of time for that higher level player – you just have to jump in with both feet.
“You have to just play and get used to that type of ball. It’s a different type of ball, a different type of serve, a different type of shot, and a different type of mentality. A four will make a certain type of mistake that a one just won’t make.”
The Dutch open the fall portion of their women’s tennis season on Labor Day weekend in Illinois with matches at Knox and Monmouth.