Drake women’s tennis is ready to get back to competing this fall.

The Drake Women’s tennis team is returning to the courts after being regular season conference champions in the spring 2022 season. 

This fall, the team has five tournaments that they will compete in. The Bulldogs start their season off with the Drake Invite, a competition played at Drake University from Sept. 9-11.

Senior Kendall Hunt explained her feelings about the upcoming competition. “We are very close to our first tournament, and I am ready to get back out and compete,” Hunt said. “I think it’s great that we get to have our first tournament here at home.” 

Following the Drake Invite, the Bulldogs will travel to Minnesota to compete in the Gopher Invite Sept. 16-18. The team will then compete in the Missouri Valley Conference Individuals tournament at Missouri State Oct. 7-9. 

 The Bulldogs will then head over to Oklahoma State to compete in the ITA central Regionals Oct. 13-16. 

These first four tournaments of the season will consist of individual matches. The Bulldogs will be put into a bracket with other athletes from different schools to compete against one another. The number of matches each Bulldog plays in will depend on how many other tennis players are in the tournament. The more wins the Bulldogs get the farther they get to advance in their brackets. 

Sophomore Nicole Lee took note of the time since the team’s last competition, showing excitement for the chance to play once again. 

“I am excited to be able to compete with the team and travel with everyone,” Lee said. “It has been a while since we last competed in April, so I am ready to get back on the court and bring home some more wins for Drake.”

To conclude the fall season Drake will host the Bulldog classic, a tournament held in a hidden dual style format. In preparation for these fall tournaments, the Bulldogs have been putting in the work on the tennis court as well as in the weight room. 

This past week, the team held their first official practice. Interim head coach James McManus weighed in on the team’s rigorous preparation, expressing excitement when looking towards an opportunity to see them play.

 “The Bulldogs have put in a lot of hard work so far this semester,” McManus said. “I am ready to see them put it all together during their matches this weekend. Being able to compete here at home for the first time this fall is great, we are ready to compete and excited to be able to do it for everyone here at Drake.”

The competition will take place at the Roger Knapp tennis center. Spectators are allowed, so students can go out and support the Bulldogs.