Tyler Horning/Collegian
Junior Beth Scherer serves it up.
It was a sad end of the season for the women's tennis team who were defeated at home on Oct. 8 and 9. The team lost to Ashland 8-1, and Mercyhurst 9-0, ending the season with a record of 1-10.
Before the match against Mercyhurst Oct. 8, the team found a baby deer that had wandered onto the courts earlier that morning.
"It was sad to see the deer because we thought he was going to kill himself," freshman Betsy Peters said. "He kept ramming his head into the fence, but he finally got out."
Coach Suzanne Abel said that although it was sad, the deer didn't affect the team's performance.
"It delayed us a little, because we had to roll dry the courts, but I was still happy with the team's performance," Abel said.
Junior Audrey Gonzales also said that the deer fiasco had nothing to do with how the team played.
"It was sick and depressing, because [the deer] couldn't find its way out, but it didn't affect our match at all," Gonzales said. "It was just another event that we experienced as a team-our only mishap."
Gonzales also said that although the team lost both matches, she looks forward to the beginning of next season.
"You can tell how much everyone improved and how experienced everyone became," Gonzales said.
Abel said that the season was a fun one, one that really showed progress in the team's improvement.
"These girls were new to college tennis, and every match they improved their ability to compete," Abel said. "They planned their matches and the execution of the shot greatly improved."
The ending of the season also brought about the loss of one very important member of the tennis team.
The captain, senior Jessica Miller, will be graduating in the spring.
"I am going to miss Jessie a lot," Abel said. "She's been a great help to the other girls, and she's my right hand-she is a super nice young lady."
Miller said that the end of the fall tennis season has not quite hit her.
"I haven't gotten used to talking about things in the past tense yet," Miller said.
As for the rest of the team, Abel said she foresees a great season next year.
"By next year they will have a more positive game of their own," Abel said. "I am really happy with their improvement."