The Winona State University women’s tennis team has had quite a pre-season full of variety of domination and tight matches all hinting at what is to come during the 2025 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) season.
The Warriors have hinted at their intent to dominate in the spring as they have conquered both the University of Wisconsin–Superior and the University of Wisconsin–River Falls with 7-0 wins. These shutouts show what type of energy they will bring to their next opponents, what a powerhouse they truly are and what they are capable of.
Winona State has also signified their ability to rise above and pull out a win in tight matches against very skilled teams. While recently facing the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, they were able to achieve a win in their last match to take the overall win as a team 4-3 against the Blugolds. The Warriors know exactly when and how to step under pressure to ensure a win, another key factor to why they will be such fierce competition in the spring and during NSIC playoffs.
However, during their last pre-season match against Roosevelt University, on Saturday, Oct. 26, Winona State was unable to manage a win, losing as a team 1-6. They had not faced the Lakers in quite a long time which brought fresh faces, new tough competition, and a sense of enjoyment to them even as they lost.
“The match didn’t go in the direction that we quite wanted, but we had some very good things that we did today,” third-year Clara Thoemke discussed. “We’re using this loss as a learning experience, especially since it’s our last match of the fall season.”
This loss will motivate and guide the Warriors as they train in the winter and come out stronger than ever when they face the University of Mary in their first NSIC season match in late February.
Tom Sanvik, head coach of the Warriors for almost five years now, has been pushing his team extremely hard and it has been paying off. With many years of experience both playing the sport collegiately and coaching at a high school, Sanvik is greatly knowledgeable of the sport. He has centered his practices with a key focus on doubles.
“Our doubles are coming together well, as well as our singles lineup,” Thoemke explained. “Everything is stacking up in our favor for our season in the spring.”
Whether it is practicing against one another or running specific volleying, forehand, or backhand drills, Sanvik is preparing this team for success. He creates a positive practice experience and often shows his love for his players with his guidance and a box full of donuts for morning practices. The head coach has been pushing his players to their best ability and is ready to show what these Warriors will be bringing to the table as the season roles along in the spring.
Although the fall season has gone nearly perfectly, there is still some anxiety for the upcoming season. Many of the younger Warriors, especially the first-year students who will be playing in their first collegiate season, experience this mixed emotion of excitement and anxiety.
“Our warmup to the season has been going really well. The team has been playing extremely well,” first-year Warrior Nikita Agrawal expressed. “I am really nervous about our spring season, but the coach has been pushing us really hard and it has been really nice. I am enjoying it.”
With the preseason now over, the team is now preparing for what the 2025 season will entail. The Warriors’ season begins in February and, from the looks of their preseason, will hopefully end with a NCAA tournament win.
