Sports

Women’s tennis hopes to overcome season of bumps, bruises

This year, the University of Wisconsin women's tennis team has dealt with more than its fair share. With numerous injuries forcing adjustments in the lineup — oftentimes playing matches without a full roster — the Badgers have truly tested their players and overall attack of the game.

"With all that we've dealt with, we've really had to re-evaluate our goals and overall strategies," head coach Patti Henderson said. "At the beginning of the year, we set goals that we wanted to happen and achieve, and things have definitely been tested."

With the team's No. 1 singles player Caitlin Burke injured, Kaylan Caiati and Liz Carpenter — No. 2 and No. 3, respectively — have had to step up.

"Although there have been close matches we've been unable to win, Kaylan and Liz have definitely stepped up," Henderson said. "By showing that these girls can be confident at a higher level, the younger members of the team should follow by example and apply it to the court."

At this point in the season, Wisconsin's goal is simply to keep playing through the adversity it has encountered.

"It's important that everyone plays their hardest and leaves the match, win or loss, knowing you put everything out there," Burke said. "While we have been struggling a little, it's important to set by example and go out there and give it your all every time.

"If anything, our main goal is to make sure that the Badger legacy lives on and that we return to the tennis world as a threat in our final upcoming games this season."

A tough schedule awaits as Wisconsin (3-10 overall, 0-5 Big Ten) faces its last non-conference opponent in No. 3 Notre Dame (14-1 overall, 0-1 Big East) Thursday at the Neilsen Tennis Stadium and finishes the season with five Big Ten matches.

With the grueling schedule ahead, the Badgers know that this is their time to show that, despite the setbacks, UW is a team to watch out for.

"If we are able to win all the rest of our Big Ten conference matches, then there is definite potential to get back on track and finish the season on a good and positive note," Henderson said. "With the schedule we have coming up, it'll be interesting to see if matches will go our way, and if it does, this team is right back in it."