Head coach Dee Henry packed the team van for the final time on April 21 as she drove to her last tournament. Juniors Kelsey Post and Madeline Heer were the only athletes to participate in and travel to the Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament due to the class schedules or personal situations with other team members.
The two athletes took advantage of their extra time with the departing coach.
“[It] was really nice actually, because Mady and I were able to really soak in Coach's last team trip,” Post said. “It was a good time to talk with her, really, about everything. It was a much more intimate trip and a great experience.”
A FIRSY ROUND BYE
Post advanced from the round of 64 by her opponent’s withdrawal due to personal circumstances. Her next match was against Marie Deleval of Grand Canyon University. Grand Canyon finished as runner up in the 2015 Ojai Tournament, and Deleval finished in the quarter finals with her doubles partner. Deleval beat Post 6-0, 6-0 but lost in the next round.
Heer received a first round bye, but faced the fourth seed Nada Marjanovic of Abilene Christian University in the next round. Marjanovic overcame Heer by a score of 6-0, 6-1 and worked her way through the bracket until she lost in the quarter finals.
In doubles, Heer and Post played the fourth seed duo of Lea Lynn Yen and Caroline Casper of Pomona-Pitzer college. Yen and Casper earned the upper hand, defeating Biola 6-0, 6-2.
“The Ojai tournament is one of my favorite tournaments of the year,” Post said. “Although the scores do not reflect it, I believe we fought hard and ultimately gained a lot from the experience. Not only do we get to watch some of the best collegiate tennis, but also get to play against them. It's a very motivating tournament, especially heading into the offseason.”
BEST SINGLES RECORD
This tournament wrapped up the 2016 women’s tennis season and the last season with Henry at the helm. The team finished with a regular season record of 6-16 while being 3-6 in the Golden State Athletic Conference. Post finished with the best singles record on the team at 11-8, followed by senior Susan Carmichael at 5-5. Sophomore Brooke Sanford earned a doubles record of 9-10. Heer followed at 8-10.
“I have seen and felt great improvement in my play and it showed this year,” Post said. “But I think more importantly, I am impressed with my team. Each one of them are encouraging and hard working.”
A TIME OF TRANSITION
The offseason will bring a lot of transition to the team as they look for a new head coach and try to replace seniors Kathryn Ashford and Carmichael. However, the team benefits from six returning athletes and will look to build on this year’s regular season record.
“The only thing we can really do is stay in shape by working hard in the off-season and prepare for the regional tournament that happens so early in the Fall semester,” Post said. “But first, I'll do some resting.”
