Lady Marlin tennis volleys for success in ODAC rankings
by Lin Ross

The women’s tennis team suffered a disheartening opening weekend over Spring Break.

In their first match, they took on Sweet Briar. While it was a close match, it ended in a loss. Their next challenge was Washington and Lee, one of the stronger teams in the ODAC.

VWC coach Joanne Renn believes that Washington and Lee continues to be tough competetion in the ODAC year after year. The Lady Marlins were also upset in the outcome of that match.

This year’s squad returns just one player out of the top six seeds from last year’s team, junior Kat Blais. Junior transfer Bridget Smith, also a point guard on the Lady Marlin basketball team has also come out this season. However, she is nursing a torn muscle in her back.

There are a total of eight girls on the team, the remaining 6 of whom have all come off of good squads from their respective high schools.

“We’ll be very competitive with several other teams in the ODAC ths season,” said Renn.

Despite the losses, she said that she observed two very good matches played [Sweet Briar and Washington and Lee].

Although the ladies have suffered losses, their game has been improved in part by the addition of new landscaping.

The trees surrounding the tennis courts help block the wind, which used to make it difficult for the players to make contact with the ball.

“A good amount of financing has been given to us for this landscaping from Mrs. Lucy Penzold,” said Renn.

The tennis courts have been named after her husband. “We are excited about the donations to the tennis program.”

Blais sums it up, “Hopefully we can pull together as a team and make this a winning season.”