The women’s tennis team got off to a strong start to their season, defeating Grinell 8-1 on Aug. 27 and finishing second in the Wisconsin-Whitewater Invitational.
Head coach Jon Miedema was pleased with how the team performed in their first two debuts of the season.
“I’m very happy with how we played in singles and how we controlled the court and dictated points,” Miedema said. “To me, that pointed why we can have a very successful season. We’re deep and talented in those spots and we have the ability to control the court.”
In the Grinell game, senior teammates and captains Dana and Lauren Goggin led the way for the team with Dana winning her singles and doubles matches while Lauren won her singles match.
Dana thought the first game helped give the team confidence that this would be a good season.
“I think it sets a really good tone for all of us,” said Dana. “I think it’s very important to start off well like we did. We’re definitely happy with the success we’ve had so far.”
The Vikings carried that confidence into the Wisconsin-Whitewater Invitational in Whitewater, Wisconsin on Saturday. The team finished with 31 points, managing to squeeze ahead of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Univeristy of Wisconsin-Lacrosse who tied at 30 points.
Lauren finished third in the number one singles, while Dana and junior Mollie Maggie finished third in the number one doubles.
Other highlight performances in the invitational were sophomore Caitlyn Schaffer who finished second in the number two singles and senior Vicki Andonova, who finished third in the number three singles.
Last year, the Vikings finished with an Augustana record-tying 24-7 record and won the CCIW Conference for the first time since 1997.
The Vikings lost 4-5 against the Wheaton Thunder in their final game, costing them a bid to the NCAA national tournament.
Miedema said the team’s motivations aren’t focused on revenge but in positively moving forward in the season.
“They know what it’s like to be in those situations and to have success,” said Miedema. “I don’t think we need to state it like that as motivation. They just know it. We have a talented hard working group and they understand that and they understand the goals that are in front of them.”