By Nicholas Moreano
The Iowa women’s tennis team is ready to officially start its fall season as it heads to Minneapolis today for the Gopher Invitational, finally getting to play against competition other than themselves in practice.
The Gopher Invitational will take place today through Sept. 25 and will play host to individuals from 13 schools.
The Hawkeyes will seek an uptick in production this fall compared with last, when they ended with a 37-45 singles record and went 48-64 in doubles.
Iowa has not been as competitive as it would have liked in seasons past, but with a new head coach, there is plenty of excitement surrounding the team.
This weekend will be the first opportunity for the Hawkeyes to show their progress under the short tutelage of their new head coach, and that has served as a motivating factor.
Head coach Sasha Schmid knows the importance of starting the new season on the right foot.
She said one of the themes when she became head coach was to instill confidence in her players.
“Every time we are out there and are competing, it’s another chance to feel good about what we are doing and just build that belief,” she said.
Despite the week being condensed because the tournament starts today, Schmid said the Hawkeyes practiced the same way they would have had there not been a tournament.
Practice consisted of some doubles, singles, and drill work, just like any other week of practice.
Sophomore Adorabol Huckleby said the mindset this week has been to compete hard and give 100 percent.
Schmid said one of her biggest takeaways from the tournament will be to see what the Hawkeyes do well and what they can work on. Depending on how the team does will help her have a more accurate plan in the future.
With the Hawkeyes buying into Schmid’s workout program, which focuses on putting the players in game situations by mentally and physically pushing them to their limit, they want to see their hard work pay off.
“Everyone is just really excited, and we have just been playing a lot of points and working hard,” senior Aimee Tarun said.
Tarun isn’t the only one who is excited to play in her first tournament — Schmid has also been itching to get her first tournament as Hawkeye head coach underway.
“I thought about it a lot this week; I’m really looking forward to having that first tournament,” she said.
Tarun is ready for the competition to recognize what the Hawkeyes will bring to the table this season.
“We are ready to compete and going to show all the other teams how hard we have been working and really send a message,” she said. “We are going to show them all what Iowa tennis is this year.”