PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Heading into the 2024 spring season, the Rutgers tennis team is ready to make its mark on history.
The Scarlet Knights are set to begin their campaign in a big way on Saturday, Jan. 20, competing in two dual matches, one on the road at Princeton (11 a.m.) and one at home against Howard (5 p.m.).
With the busy day to get the season underway, eighth-year head coach Hilary Ritchie knows her team will have an opportunity for quick success.
“We have played a few doubleheaders before,” Ritchie said. “Having it be an opener, everybody, if healthy, will get to play. I think it will be great for a team of 10 players.”
Within the roster, the Scarlet Knights are rich in experience. There are seven upperclassmen – two juniors: Minchae Kim and Jackeline Lopez; four seniors: Amira Badawi, Chloe Brown, Daira Cardenas, and Tara Chilton; and one graduate transfer; Yana Gurevich.
Two of those seven upperclassmen, Lopez and Brown, have been named the team’s co-captains heading into the campaign. Brown will enter her second-straight year as captain, while Lopez earned the distinction for the first time in her career.
Aye aye, captain(s) 🫡
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— Rutgers Tennis (@RutgersTennis) December 21, 2023
“We have so much experience and leadership,” Ritchie pointed out. “I think that is going to help us during the season.”
Alongside the seasoned players are two sophomores, Mai Nguyen and Arina Valitova, and one freshman, Naomi Karki. Nguyen and Valitova gained a lot of experience in dual competitions a season ago, appearing in 22 and 20 matches, respectively. Karki seeks a similar impact in her rookie campaign.
“Having Naomi as our only freshman, it’s neat, because I know that she looks up to (the upperclassmen),” Ritchie said. “They encourage her and enjoy helping her. While she played in the fall and got some tournament experience, there’s nothing that quite replicates the dual match. The cheering is louder and there’s more excitement. I know she is probably going to have those first-match nerves, and she will be able to rely on (teammates), especially in doubles when she has a partner who can help her through that.”
With the experience, leadership, and support that lives within the Rutgers roster comes a…
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