The men’s and women’s tennis teams start their fall season this weekend traveling to three separate tournaments in Midland, New Mexico and Cincinnati.
Sophomore Josh Sheehy, freshman Jonathan Sheehy, junior Henry Adams and senior Nico Agritelley will represent the men’s team in the Midland Racquet Club, and the women’s team will be represented by upperclassmen – Erin Walker, Lucile Pothier, Ansley Boarman and Whitney Williams.
Large programs from across the nation compete in the Midland Invitational, and this year, it will host teams from such schools as Texas Tech, the University of Texas, Penn State, Rice, Texas A&M and the University of San Diego.
Whitney Williams will attend the Midland Invitational for the first time in her three years at ACU.
“I’m happy to be competing with the upperclassmen,” said Williams. “Erin Walker, one of the seniors, is our leader. She sets the example with her patience and competitiveness on the court.”
While the women have Walker as their leader on the court, senior Nico Agritelley for the men’s team has high expectations for the teams this season.
“We have an incredible group of guys this year and with so much potential our limits are bigger than any of us can imagine,” said Agritelley. “I expect all of us to lead each other this year since all of us are at such similar playing abilities that the team is going to be able to push each other on and off of the court.”
There are only a certain number of spots open for each school at tournaments, so the members have to split up and compete in numerous cities.
While half of the teams go to Midland, the remaining men travel to New Mexico for the New Mexico State Invitational and the remaining women will compete at the Greater Cincinnati Invitational in Ohio.
Each team finished off the spring season with a doubles championship at the Ojai Tournament in California.
Williams was in one of those Wildcat duos, with Walker, and finds that to be her strong suit.
“I think we have a very strong team and I am expecting a solid overall year of tennis”, said Williams. “There is always room to improve, but we have a great starting point.”