Oregon women’s tennis’s five newest players are already making their marks on the season.
Four freshmen and one sophomore player began with the Ducks in the fall, and four of them competed in their first tournament of the spring season last weekend at the Long Beach Invitational. They accumulated a 4-0 singles record on the second day of play.
“Some of our freshmen had a great fall, so I’m excited to see what they’re going to be doing this spring against our competition and in the Pac-12 conference,” head coach Alison Silverio said.
Silverio wasn’t worried about the team struggling, even though more than half its members are newcomers.
“We’re young, but we’re motivated and we’re talented,” Silverio said. “I think for us it’s just going to be gaining the experience.”
Freshman Shweta Sangwan of Bradenton, Florida played in India before she started playing in the United States. Sangwan won her singles flight of the WSU Invitational and defeated her Long Beach State opponent in singles 6-2, 6-0 this weekend.
Sangwan reflected on her performance and that of her team over MLK weekend in Long Beach.
“It was pretty good I would say. A lot of positives for our team and Long Beach is top 40, so it’s definitely a positive beating them,” Sangwan said.
Micheline Aubuchon from Santa Monica, California had her best matches of the fall as part of a doubles team with sophomore Alyssa Tobita at the Jack Kramer Invitational, but didn’t see the court on the first day of the Long Beach Invitational on account of a fever.
Transfer sophomore Kennan Johnson from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, went 6-3 in singles during the fall season and took down her Long Beach opponent in straight sets 6-2, 6-3.
Freshmen Daniela Nasser of Tampa, Florida and Christi Woodson from Melbourne, Florida both took home first-day wins in their respective doubles matches.
Sangwan finds that having so many newcomers is an advantage for the team.
“It keeps us positive because we all want to compete against each other and make each other better,” Sangwan said.
In total, the team now consists of five new players and four returners. Tobita described the experience as “a lot different.”
“[The newcomers] have been adapting really well,” Tobita said. “The team has meshed really well. It’s exciting to really show the other team all our firepower.”
After finishing play at the Long Beach Invitational, the Ducks will head to Texas to take on Texas Tech on Saturday, Jan. 23.
“They make our team a lot stronger this year, so practices are much more difficult and that just makes us better,” returning sophomore Nia Rose said. “I’m glad to have them here.”
Follow Madison Layton on Twitter @MadisonLayton01