Hoosiers begin season with 3 dual matches

The IU women’s tennis team will open the spring season against Western Michigan, Xavier and Ball State this weekend at the IU Tennis Center.

The No. 46 Hoosiers will play Western Michigan at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, followed by matches Sunday against the Musketeers and Cardinals at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., respectively.

Senior Katya Zapadalova said she is familiar with many of the players on the opposing teams from previous matches and tournaments. She said Western Michigan has good doubles players but the Hoosiers should be favored to win each match this weekend.

“We are kind of supposed to win those matches,” Zapadalova said. “So I guess we just hope to show really good tennis and show what things we still need to work on because obviously after that we are going to be getting better teams.”

Freshman Kayla Fujimoto said she is excited to compete in her first college match. The biggest difference between college tennis and juniors, she said, is the emphasis on competing as a team.

“Now you want to win for the team and not just for yourself,” Fujimoto said. “You support each other.”

Most of all, though, Fujimoto said these three matches will be about consistent play and getting a positive start to the season.

“We are just starting the season so everyone hopefully plays solid and gets some wins under our belt, gains confidence and gets comfortable playing matches.”