The women’s and men’s tennis teams started their spring season 3-4 and 2-3, respectively. Both teams are looking to improve on their records from last season.
The women’s team opened up with conference matches against Hamline (W 6-3), St. Thomas (L 1-8), Bethel (L 0-9) and Saint Mary’s (L 2
-7).
Sabrina Barboza ’21 became the first member of the St. Olaf College women’s tennis team in nearly seven years to be named the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Women’s Tennis Athlete of the Week, after she helped the team win at No. 1 doubles and No. 1 singles against non-conference opponent Luther College.
The women’s team will take a trip to Orlando, Florida, over spring break. They will have matches against George Fox University, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Whitworth University before returning and finishing their conference season in April.
The men’s team started MIAC play with Hamline (W 5-4), Bethel (L 0-9) and Gustavus (L 0-9), St. Thomas (L 3-6) and Saint Mary’s (W 6-3). After a 9-0 win against St. Norbert College on March 16, the team will take some time off before finishing their non-conference schedule with a match against the University of Northwestern April 6.
In addition to Barboza’s recognition within the conference, Corey Loken ’19 also won MIAC Men’s Tennis Athlete of the Week for St. Olaf after a stellar performance in the match against St. Thomas.
Loken led the St. Olaf team last year as well. As a junior, he played in six singles matches, finishing with a record of 4-2 overall, undefeated in confernce play.
The men’s team is also headlined by upperclassmen Christopher Prokosch ’19, Gus Fedje-Johnston ’19 and Kevin Kalkus ’20. These four lead a young team comprised of three first-years and three sophomores. With this veteran leadership and development of young players, the team looks set for years to come.
