Alabama women’s tennis looks poised to take the next step

Cole Archer

Experience grants many gifts in life. Experience can lead to a better job, a bigger paycheck or a wiser mind. The Alabama women’s tennis team is counting on experience to lead to more wins.

Coming off of a 15-15 season, the team believes they are heading in the right direction and with a squad that has five juniors and no freshman, they see no reason why this upcoming season can’t yield more victories. Head Coach Jennie Mainz is confident that a team boasting four transfer players will know how to kick it into full gear after the long weeks of practice and cross-country flights for preseason play along the west coast.

When given a team to coach that already possesses great mental intangibles such as leadership and maturity, the off-season’s point of emphasis was clear – go harder.

“We have gotten stronger. We have gotten fitter. We have gotten more match ready and more battle tested. We have added things to their games. We are getting more versatile and we are just a really poised team,” said Mainz, who is entering her 22nd year as head coach with the Tide.

The team returns to action on Jan. 20 with a home opener against the UAB Blazers – a game the team has been training for since the end of pre-season play in November back in Surprise, Arizona for the ITA National Fall Championships.

While there is room for excitement for a season opener with an in-state competitor, all eyes are on how Alabama can improve in SEC play this season as the team was just 2-11 in conference last season. How the veteran players balance a consistent approach to all opponents versus an extra emphasis on in conference play will be something to look out for as the season begins. Although, it something that the team doesn’t seem to be worried about.

“I think we’re better prepared for what the SEC looks like. Out of the 14 teams 11 of them were in the top 25 so we know what we are up against and we are better prepared to face it,” said junior Jacqueline Pelletier.

The SEC will be tough for the Tide as it is one the strongest conferences in women’s tennis, hosting the two top ranked players and teams in the country. The Crimson Tide looks to break into the top 25 and capitalize on such a strong conference that makes up nearly half the team’s schedule. Junior Alba Cortina Pou sees 2018’s struggle with SEC matchups and road games as a beacon of hope and an opportunity to grow in 2019.

“With experiences from last year, we know how to handle certain situations when they return, and everyone is looking a lot more confident. We don’t care who we play against. The next match is the most important for us. We just want to improve from now until the end of the season,” said Cortina Pou.

It is a good thing for Bama fans to know that both the players and coaches are going into the season with high expectations. Mainz leads a disciplined group that knows they aren’t satisfied with their play last year. The improvements the team has made in practice couples well with Mainz’s underdog mentality for the 35th ranked Crimson Tide to approach the season with the same ambition they always do, both on and off the court.

“You always have to prove yourself. Whether you won a national championship and had a banner season or had a less favorable season, it’s over. It’s always a new start. It’s 0-0. You have to earn it and you have to prove yourself as a coach, as a player, and as a team. I like having my back against the wall. I’m a fighter. I always have been.”