UTRGV Women’s Tennis Builds Toward a New Season

UTRGV women’s tennis is preparing for a new season with a strong mix of returning players and new faces. Sebastián Espino has more from the tennis courts.

After a season that left the team wanting more, UTRGV Women’s Tennis is coming into the new year with a different mindset.

The Vaqueros have been working to build chemistry early, and head coach West Nott says the team has already shown positive signs.

“They’re looking excellent. We’re really gelling as a team, the chemistry is good,” Nott said.

That chemistry is showing both on and off the court, with players living together and spending more time around each other, Nott says. The team has created an environment where players support one another, especially during difficult moments.

“They’re really rooting each other on and buying into cheering each other on,” he said.

For the returning players, there is also motivation to improve after last season.

Nott says the returning players still have a bad taste in their mouths from the team’s performance last year, while the new players are looking to prove they can compete at this level.

One of those returning players is senior Madeline Jeff, who is entering her third season at UTRGV after coming to the Valley from Paris.

Jeff missed most of last season due to injury, but she was still able to contribute by helping coach and watching her teammates compete.

Now, she’s working her way back and rebuilding her confidence.

“I’m trying to practice again, to get more confidence,” she said.

With a healthy season ahead, Jeff has her sights set on the same goal as her coach: to win the conference.

Another returning player is Hitakmyan Narwal, who transferred to UTRGV after spending her freshman year in South Dakota.

Narwal says the team has a strong group of new players and believes it has plenty to look forward to this season.

“I feel like we have a good, strong group of girls,” she said.

Nott says his returning players are ready to take on leadership roles and help the newcomers adjust. And unlike professional tennis, college tennis gives players another reason to fight for each other.

Every individual match counts toward the team’s overall score, and the first team to four points wins the match.

That means players aren’t just competing for themselves, they’re competing for each other.

“We’re cheering for each other. It’s not like you’re sitting on your hands,” Nott said.

Now, the Vaqueros are hoping the Valley will be there to cheer with them. Narwal says the team has been working hard and wants fans to be part of the upcoming season.