The excitement is growing as the tennis teams at Doane University prepare for a new season. Both the men’s and women’s teams are getting ready for an exciting and difficult new season ahead, with the first game set for Feb. 8.
The Tigers have young potential, a strong sense of resolve and a common goal of winning when the season begins. Based on observations from both teams’ players and assistant Coach Federico Infante, here is a sneak peek at what’s to come.
Infante anticipates a tough season for Doane University tennis. “We are expecting a hard season ahead of us,” Infante said. “We have a lot of good matches against ranked teams across all divisions, which means we’ll have great chances to assess where we stand.”
He also emphasized the youthfulness of the current roster, noting that many players are still in the early stages of their development.
“We have a pretty young team, and it’s too early to tell how good they can be in a conference as tough as GPAC (Great Plains Athletic Conference),” Infante said. Nevertheless, the team’s resilience and eagerness to improve could prove pivotal in meeting the challenges ahead.
Despite the uncertainties, Infante is optimistic about the growth and development of the players. “One of the big strengths of this team is that every single member has a lot of room to improve,” Infante said. “This gives them a lot of confidence, as they know they can work to get better at specific areas that will boost their performance.”
This mentality resonates with players like senior Mariana Espinosa, from the women’s team, a new recruit for this spring. Espinosa came here to start her MBA and she will help the team a lot with her experience and skill having won the River State conference and qualified for nationals two years in a row with her previous university. Espinosa expects great things from this season.
“I expect that, first and foremost, we all come together as a team and give our best effort in every game,” Espinosa said. “One thing that I love about college tennis is how you have a team to cheer you up, and you can cheer them up while playing. We are ready to reap what we’ve sown through all the hard work in the pre-season.”
The players’ enthusiasm for the upcoming season is palpable. Espinosa, reflecting on what excites her most about the season, said, “It is always so exciting to travel with the team and play some good matches! We all love tennis, and being able to share that passion through competitive matches and traveling together is something so unique about our team.” The sense of camaraderie and team spirit is one of the defining qualities of Doane’s tennis program, and it’s something players like Espinosa are eager to experience once again.
For junior Diego Infante, a member of the men’s team, the excitement of a new season is a clear motivator. “We are expecting the team to give 100% of what we can,” Infante said. “We know that we are capable of making it to the finals of the GPAC.” The Tigers are aiming high, fueled by their collective effort and strong drive to succeed. When asked how he would describe his team, Infante is quick to highlight the sacrifices made by the players, many of whom are international student-athletes. “A good way to describe us is just the word ‘sacrifice,’” Infante said. “Since most of the team are international players who had to leave their families and friends, they continue to work toward success.”
It’s clear that the Tigers’ commitment to their sport and to each other runs deep, and this sense of shared sacrifice binds the team together as they look to make their mark on the upcoming season. The players and coaches are concentrating on their upcoming work as the season’s opening game draws near. The Tigers will undoubtedly encounter difficulties along the road, but they are prepared for anything the season may bring, thanks to a combination of young vigor, seasoned leadership and unshakeable resolve. Even though the path to victory may be difficult, Doane University tennis is ready to put forth its best effort. The athletes are excited to get on the court and give their school their best representation. The Tigers are prepared to make an impression in their season-opening away game on Feb. 8 against Grand View University, when the first test takes place.
