Tennis teams eager to begin competition at Trinity this weekend

The Bates men's and women's tennis teams are scheduled to begin the 2021 spring season with a trip to Trinity on Sunday, April 18.

The women's team will start off the afternoon of competition at 2 p.m., followed by both men's and women's doubles and concluding with the men's singles matches.

"The biggest thing I've told them is to be ready for the unexpected and to roll with it," shared Head Coach Paul Gastonguay '89, right before the initial anticipated start to the season. Nothing could be more true in a year affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially as Bates Athletics restarts its schedules for its spring teams.

"I'm most proud of both the men's and women's teams because they are so happy to be a team and they are so focused on development," said Gastonguay. "Through all that we have faced, they have not been complacent. They are taking charge and working to get better each day, and when we got word we would have a season this year they were even more amped up."

Both the men's and the women's teams return two senior captains. Haley Washington and Hannah Sweeney are serving as captains on the women's side.

"Haley and Hannah have been leaders from day one. They had a voice as first-years and they led on the court.They know how to compete, and how to bring their teammates along and teach them what it is to compete and have a great attitude."

Owen Greenwood and Alex Kennedy will lead the men. "Both Owen and Alex have huge games and massive serves. It's great for the team to practice against their serves." said Gastonguay. "They have done a great job off the court, getting the team together virtually and promoting a good culture."

The women's team welcomes three first-years, and has a large group of six sophomores who will be restarting their collegiate careers after just a fall season and very abbreviated spring 2019. Two juniors - Sydney Byrnes and Hayley Neighmond complete the women's roster.

On the men's side, six first-years join five sophomores who are all eager to play their first NESCAC matches.

Next weekend, the Bobcats are scheduled to host Tufts on Saturday, April 24, and then travel to take on Connecticut College on Sunday, April 25. On Saturday, May 1 the Bates women's team will play at Colby with the men hosting the Mules on Sunday, May 2.

"These teams are a gritty bunch. They are passionate about their development as athletes, and I'm so excited to see them compete."

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