After many months of fundraising, Smith Tennis was finally ready to depart for spring break. On March 13, the nine player traveling squad packed up and flew south to Hilton Head, S.C. where over 100 college tennis teams congregated for dual match play.
Once on the island, the team immediately went to work in preparation for their first match against Nebraska-Wesleyan on Monday, March 15 . After four hours of continuous competition, the match was finally decided in favor of Nebraska-Wesleyan who edged out Smith 5-4.
Day two, Smith took on Macalester College. The match went down to the wire with Smith being, once again, edged out by a mere 4-5 margin.
Wednesday, Smith was able to get in a two hour morning practice before the rain moved in. Play was suspended for the remainder of the day but resumed on Thursday under sunny skies. Smith took on 5th nationally ranked Denison University at 8am on Thursday and; after giving their "all", Smith fell to the Ohio team 0-9. The Smith team regrouped the same day and concluded competition by taking on Nazareth College. Smith battled back and forth and the two teams were and the score was 3-3 after the singles. The Pioneers; however, entered the doubles with decisiveness and confidence. Smith swept the doubles giving the Pioneers a 6-3 victory. This win proved significant since Nazareth had defeated Nebraska-Wesleyan two days before playing Smith.
With a day off on Friday, Smith College Tennis players toured Savanneh and played some social mixed in the afternoon. Smith concluded the trip 1-3 but returned to New England seasoned and ready for the Seven Sisters’ Championship to be held at Smith on March 27 and 28.
