Anticipation builds at Utah Tech University as the women’s tennis team waits to face Utah State University for their home opener Jan. 27.
The team is looking for a breakthrough first program win against Utah State.
“If everyone remains positive and gives it their all, anything can happen,” said Rachel Mellor, a senior criminal justice major and Utah Tech tennis player, from Mandurah, Australia. “Anything can happen in tennis. Anyone can win.”
They are playing a team that has yet to play outdoors this season. Utah Tech’s tennis facility is outdoors, and head coach Eric Pelton hopes that their home-court advantage results in a Utah Tech victory.
“These beginning matches are important and crucial,” said Pelton.
He hopes the team starts the match well in doubles and believes that success in doubles will give the team momentum that will carry over to success in their singles matches.
Mellor, who has played Utah State every year while at Utah Tech, said Utah State is always a tough opponent. She believes this might be the year they finally get the coveted first program win against them.
Mellor said team members all want to win for one another. Getting the first win would not only be for the university, but also for each other.
Ya-Chi Hsu, a senior recreation and sports management major from Kaohsiung City, Taiwan said, “We are all [the tennis team] really close, just like a family.”
A win for Utah Tech would certainly be a crucial first win of the season for the team as they lost their first two matches against the University of Utah and Montana State University.
Looking past Utah State, Pelton has high hopes for the team this season. He is hoping that they can finish in the top three in the Western Athletic Conference this season.
Utah Tech has 10 matches before they start conference play March 22 against Grand Canyon University.
Pelton said: “Obviously, our goal is to go out and win, but at the same time, we are really trying to figure things out. We are getting more comfortable and getting more confident, so that as we get into our season play, the culmination of our season…and our conference tournament, we are able to do well.”