This year, the Yeshiva University Women’s Tennis team had a record-breaking season. The team finished third overall in the NCAA Division III Skyline Conference, which earned them a spot in the semi-finals for the first time in over a decade. The team took great pride in this accomplishment.
Last fall, the team placed fifth out of six places in the Skyline Conference, but they did not allow this to crush their spirits. During pre-season, the team not only worked hard to strengthen their skills and agility, but also built a stronger team bond.
On the court, the team was extremely focused. In tennis, it is important to practice the mantra of “mind over matter;” it is just as much a mental sport as it is a physical sport. For this reason, even after many victories, the team did not become arrogant. By exercising mental strengths like recalling the unpleasant feeling of defeat, they were able to push themselves to the semi-finals.
Although the team did not make it to the championship, they received well-deserved recognition for their success. Coach Naomi Kaszovits was named Skyline Conference Coach of the Year and Israeli recruit Shani Hava was named Skyline Conference Rookie of the Year. Additionally, the team had two players named to All Conference Teams and as Yeshiva University Athletes of the Month. All of these awards show major developments since the conception of Yeshiva’s Women’s Tennis team.
The story of the tennis team is truly an inspiring one, and an important illustration of the success of an underdog. The women put their hearts and souls into the game; organizing team pep rallies or cheering for their teammates at matches that lasted until close to midnight. This season taught the tennis players that you really can achieve anything you put your mind to, and they hope to make it to the championships next fall.