Lady Lion’s tennis team has started the fall season by participating in the University of Louisiana at Monroe Warhawk Classic Tournament last weekend at ULM. The new Lady Lion duo juniors Dalina Dahlmans and Fleur Holtkamp advanced to the finals and defeated Louisiana Tech 7-5.
“I thought we did a really good job,” said Head Coach Jason Hayes. “We lost our team captain from last year to graduation, so I wasn’t sure what our team identity was going to be, but I am so happy with the way they responded.”
This tournament not only gave the team a few victories to start the season, but it also gave the team time to bond.
“We really came together as a team,” said Hayes. “I was so glad that our first tournament was on the road as opposed to hosting it. When you are with your team in the hotel or eating out you are building that identity.”
Juniors Lucia Bustamante and Natalie Duran won the consolation bracket in doubles and in singles. Juniors Holtkamp, Ceci Mercier and Madina Vorotnikova all won their singles matches.
“I was so happy with the way they played together,” said Hayes. “We tried to work on different things this year and every one of them went out and did the best they could to implement that new style we want. I could not be any happier with their results.”
Holtkamp and freshmen Yasmine Taylor and Sarah Eutinger, the new additions to the team will be looking to build chemistry with the other veteran players this season.
“I think that they have done a great job blending into the team,” said Hayes. “The girls understand that for a team to be successful everybody has to work together. I think that this was a great team effort especially with it being our first event together.”
This tournament is one of four that the Lady Lions will be playing in. The Lady Lions will return to the court on Sept. 30 for the Ragin’ Cajun Classic in Lafayette, Louisiana.
“We’ve got some work to do,” said Hayes. “Each tournament we need to get a little bit better. We have set our goals to where we want to be the best that we can be. Now does that mean we are going to be at the top of the conference or the bottom I don’t know. But, the team understands that we all have to work together.”