The notion of "Senior Day," a longstanding college athletic tradition, is nothing new to the Wisconsin women's tennis team. But this year, as the squad prepares to graduate veteran Lexi Goldin, a small hitch has wandered into the time-honored ceremony.
Saturday will mark the Badgers' final home match of the year as the team looks to defeat a struggling Ohio State roster and bring a positive end to a regular season that has been marked by painful and stinging losses.
The conundrum: Only six tennis players may participate in official singles matches and Goldin, as of late, has shuffled in and out of that cut. With team ace Caitlin Burke possibly slated to return from an injury hiatus this weekend, the cut turns even deeper as the lineup would shuffle down.
When asked about this possible situation during a press conference Monday, UW head coach Patti Henderson seemed eager to keep her options open going into Saturday.
"And if [Burke] was to be in, then very possibly that would be the case regarding Lexi Goldin as the lone senior on our squad," Henderson said. "However, Lexi is understanding her role and her position within our program very, very well and doing a great job in that capacity."
Goldin has seen playing time this season — including this past Sunday against Illinois when freshman Erin Jobe moved to the sideline — but such has not been the norm.
"Actually, she's playing less than she's played the last year or two," Henderson said. "And again, in an individual sport where you're either in or you're not and there's no in between, she has definitely handled the day-to-day practice situation, understanding her role in terms of being the one that's the first in most of the time for us, and being prepared and taking any and every opportunity."
Even if Burke doesn't return, it is possible that Goldin will not see action this Saturday. However, there is also a veritably ironic note to the idea that the lone Badger senior, who has spent most of the spring season chatting and listening to music alongside Burke on the sideline, may have her Senior Day fate determined by the health of that very teammate.
