The Lady Apaches tennis team's inexperience in college-level play was not a problem in their first meet against Springfield College at home on Aug. 31.
Despite the fact that coach Steve Crick identified the team's biggest weakness as lack of college level play, the women defeated Springfield 5-4.
Lindsay Hammers won over Kelly Fifield 6-1, 1-6, 6-4, and Mandi Morse topped Marcela Perreira 6-1, 7-5. Melissa Poulakos fell to Cressie McHenry 6-3, 6-1 and Theresa Marynus lost to Molly Schafer 6-4, 6-1.
In doubles play, number one partners Hammers and Poulakis were victorious, as were number two partners Morse and Lana Welch. Number three doubles partners Abbie Hyson and DeAnna Sack won by forfeit.
After having the women’s tennis season cancelled last season, Crick believes the team this year is solid, and that last season’s cancellation has no affect on this year’s team.
"There is no impact (from last year’s cancellation) at all because we are all freshmen," said the first-year coach. "The team appears strong all the way up and down the line up -- we are even in strength -- so that will make us a tough team to defeat."
The Lady Apaches face Rock Valley at home Sept. 10.