Rough weekend for Royals

Photo by Jon Keener

Senior Justin Boer opened the season with a wins in number two singles and number one doubles.

The tennis teams began their season on March 9 with wins from both the men’s and women’s teams against Shenandoah.

While the beginning weeks of the season have passed with five defeats on the women’s side and three on the men’s, the teams look ahead to a more successful second half of their seasons.

The women’s side traveled to Bridgewater on Tuesday but lost 3-6, in a match-up that resulted in some tightly played matches. Number-two seed Kara Miller defeated Bridgewater’s Sarah Taylor 6-2 and 6-0, with Sharon Kniss adding another singles win against Shelly Reitenauer by the scores of 4-6, 6-4, and 7-6. Debbie Boese and Miller contributed a doubles win for the Royals.

Kniss discussed the young Lady Royals team, "I was unsure about how the season would turn out. We have some strong players, though, and should be able to turn out a respectable 2004 season."

The women’s team will take on Emory and Henry on Saturday in Emory, VA. Home play will resume on Tuesday, April 13, against fellow Old Dominion Athletic Conference team, Lynchburg College.

On the men’s side, visiting Longwood College swept the Royals on Saturday, March 20 at home. The team looks ahead to facing ODAC teams as the second half of the season progresses and its relatively young roster begins to come into their own.

The team faces Randolph Macon College today at 3:30, on the EMU courts, and travels with the Lady Royals to Emory and Henry on Saturday for a 1 p.m. match.

Kniss is optimistic about remaining matches of the season saying that they hope to "put [their] best feet forward, solidify [their] doubles competition, and be intelligent but aggressive players on the court."