Southern women’ s tennis ready for championship

Experience has been the key in all skills that we try to apply in our daily lives and even on the tennis court experience is instrumental for SU tennis head coach Jeff Conyers.
“Because of Hurricane Katrina, we didn’t get the tournament play we needed in the fall”, Conyers said. “They have done very well this year, the freshmen players have stepped up. They will be ready for next year.”
The men’ team — three seniors and three freshmen — fared well this season though the young members lack the practice of having a smooth transition into collegiate play.
“We threw them out in the fire,” said senior Paul DeRousselle. “But we’re doing well and I know next year we are going to win the (conference) championship.”
In last week’s Southwestern Athletic Conference East-West Challenger, the men finished fourth, losing in their final match against Alcorn State; a win which could have moved the team into the top-three championship spot.
On the other hand, the women’s team — though they are young — remained on top in the conference. They matched every challenger and remain undefeated in the conference. Next week, they will compete for their fifth consecutive SWAC championship.
“The team right now is pretty good from where we were last semester,” said senior Francisca Osedumme. “Our chances of winning SWAC is really high. I haven’t lost any matches is the SWAC this year either, so it looks really good.”
Both teams will have their final home matches on April 11 at 2 p.m.