The ACU women’s tennis team will have their first two Southland Conference matches of the 2014 season this weekend, with games against Northwestern State University and Stephen F. Austin University. The Wildcats enter the weekend with an 11-2 record overall, and are 3-0 in Southland play, with all three wins coming over spring break.
The action starts Friday at 10:30 a.m. as the NSU Lady Demons visit the Wildcats. At 11-3 overall, including a perfect 4-0 record in conference match-ups, the Lady Demons are the only team currently above the ACU women in the Southland standings. NSU has won nine straight matches, with their most recent victory coming at the expense of Texas A&M Corpus Christi. The Lady Demons will prove to be a strong test for the Wildcats.
ACU assistant coach Juan Nunez expects his team to be up for the challenge.
“I expect us to come out and show that we are a consistent team, and that [last week] wasn’t just a good week but that we are an established team,” he said. “[The girls] are doing well by showing up every day whether it’s a practice, match or playing a top team. We expect them to stay hungry and humble.”
Leading the way for the Wildcats is senior Micah Hermsdorf. She, along with her sister, sophomore Kaysie Hermsdorf, have been perfect in doubles matches this season, compiling a 12-0 record along the way. Micah is 10-3 in singles matches and plays in the number 1 spot for the Wildcats.
Like Nunez, Micah Hermsdorf knows how crucial it is to remain consistent and stay positive over the course of the season.
“We have to continue to stay strong and push ourselves to compete and stay tough every match,” she said. “We have been doing well at this, especially in our match against Southeastern La. when all three of our doubles lines were significantly down to start. We all made amazing comebacks, and I think a huge part was our persistence to stay positive as doubles teams and as a team as a whole.”
ACU lost to NSU during their last meeting, which was at the beginning of the 2013 season. This time around, the Wildcats will look for redemption.
“We are definitely motivated and energized to get to play them this Friday,” said Micah Hermsdorf. “I think it will be a great match. The competition will be tough, but ACU tennis is all about staying tough and battling it out until the end.”
Saturday’s match starts at 10 a.m. as the 6-6 SFA Ladyjacks (3-1) take on the Wildcats. SFA is coming off a 4-3 loss to TAMUCC.
The matches on both days will be played at the Eager Tennis Pavilion on ACU’s campus.
