By Sophie Clark
Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of Hunter Swenson
On March 29, the Sewanee Tigers Tennis team played against Rhodes College in both doubles and singles and won 9-0. Given the rivalry between the two colleges, both the women’s and men’s matches were equally intense and both demonstrated considerable skill on the courts.
In one of the first double matches played, Lindsey Liles (C’16) and Bronte Goodhue (C’15) dominated on the court, winning the first game of the first set. Rhodes then went on to gain one game, bringing both teams to an equal advantage. However, despite Rhodes’ small gain in the competition, Liles and Goodhue swept past their competitors, and by the end of the set Sewanee’s rival had won a single game with Liles and Goodhue triumphing over the other eight games.
But the Tigers’ winning streak was not over yet! It extended to Kate Johnston (C’16) and Clementina Davila (C’18), who championed over Rhodes in their doubles. Similarly, Christina Merchant (C’18) and Maggie Crumbliss (C’18) successfully won their first set.
The Tigers continued to prove their prowess in singles as Liles, Merchant, Crumbliss, Davila, Taylor Childress (C’18) and Elske Parker (C’16) were all victorious in their sets. Coach Conchie Shackelford, the “winningest coach in Sewanee athletic history,” was deservedly pleased with the victory over Rhodes. Coach Shackelford commented, “our four freshman along with my upperclassmen have gained a lot of valuable experience over the last month, playing against seven nationally ranked opponents. We feel confident and prepared as we enter the conference regular season.”
The Sewanee Tigers are hopeful and determined to perform well the rest of this season. To this date, the Tigers have won an impressive seven straight matches and are ranked nationally at No. 12 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division III rankings. The Tigers will take on Berry at their next match, scheduled for April 12. The match will take place here at Sewanee, so come support your fellow Tigers next Sunday! YSR!