Boxer tennis faced with tough games in California

While many of us were enjoying the sun or going home for spring break, the men’s and women’s tennis teams headed down to California to take on some of the highest ranked division three teams in the nation.
Last Saturday, March 19, both the men and women’s teams headed down to Southern California to play against some non-Northwest- Conference teams.
Both teams were busy throughout the week and were scheduled to play five teams. However, the women’s team ended up playing four matches due to one match being canceled because of rain. The men’s team also experienced two cancelations due to rain.
The women’s team went 3-6 against Caltech University, 4-5 against Salisbury College and 1-8 versus Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.
The Boxer’s match against Grossmont College only went through one set as Grossmont has a conference match right after and had to cut the match short.
Sophomore Rachel Mizuno said that although the team saw some tough competition while at the tournament, it was still well worth it going to California.
“It was good practice for us and gave our players more experience, especially because we played teams we normally don’t in the NWC,” said Mizuno.
The men’s team also faced some tough competition while in California.
Their record was 3-6 against Salisbury College and  0-9 against both Trinity and Williams College. The Boxer’s game against Chapman University was called due to rain before it was completed. The Boxers were however leading 2-1 in doubles play.
Junior Spencer Hing said that they were up against some highly ranked teams, with a lot of them coming from the east coast.
Like Mizuno, Hing agreed that the trip was still well worth it even in the face of their losses.
“We got more experience, and it was a way for people to notice our up and coming program. The scores may not show it but we competed against those teams and are close to their level. It won’t be long before people ask to play us,” said Hing.
Currently the women’s team is ranked seventh in the NWC and the men are ranked fourth. The top four teams will advance to the NWC, which will take place April 16, at Puget Sound University.