This past weekend, the UW-Eau Claire women’s tennis team played in the WIAC tournament which decided who will go on to play in the Division III NCAA tournament, according to blugolds.com.

The Blugolds came in as a second-seed and initially defeated UW-Stout 5-1 in the semifinals. The first round was won with three victories in singles and two more in doubles. 

Commenting on the opening win in the tournament Ken Cychosz, head coach, said he was happy with the early performance.

“We did as we expected to do. We won fairly easily in the spots we would usually win in,” Cychosz said. “The ladies played extremely hard and with a great attitude, which is usually the case with this group.”

Among the members of the team to win a match in the semifinal was Anna Lee, first-year student and actuarial science Student.

She credited the win against UW- Stevens Point to a combined effort from the whole team. 

“Stevens Point was a big win for us. I think it was truly a team effort, we all kind of contributed to that and worked hard to be able to get that win,” Lee said. 

The team, however, would eventually fall in the final of the tournament to UW-Whitewater,  according to blugolds.com. The 5-0 loss sent UW-Whitewater onward but would have the Blugolds fall short of making it into the NCAA tournament. 

While it would come in a loss, Cychosz pointed out some things the Blugolds did well in their matchup against UW-Whitewater, a team that’s only lost twice since September of last year, according to their athletics page. 

“I was extremely impressed with how we responded in singles after starting so slow. The ladies really got together and made sure we ended things on a good note,” Cychosz said. “That was one of our better efforts of the year in singles.”

With the season coming to a close, Cychosz also had some things to say about what the team has done this season and how they have progressed. 

“We had a really good season for this group… we won over 75% of our singles and doubles matches during the year,” Cychosz said. 

Aside from their record and accomplishments for the season, Cychosz said he was proud of the culture the team cultivated throughout the year and how they were able to come together as a team. 

“It might have been one of the best cultures I’ve ever been a part of and the girls should really be proud of that,” Cychosz said. “It’s great to be part of a college team where that happens.”

The team this season was made up of mostly underclassmen, with three juniors and only one senior, according to blugolds.com. 

As a freshman this year, Lee says she will be returning next year and that she is optimistic about the team’s success to come. 

“I know next year we got some new recruits coming in and we’re only losing one senior … It’s gonna be another strong year I think,” Lee said. “I’m sure the team dynamic will still be positive and as good as ever.”

 For more information about UW-Eau Claire athletics, you can visit blugolds.com

Obadiya can be reached at [email protected]