By Kristie Adams, sophomore

Falcon tennis has been preparing for the upcoming season. On Friday, March 4, match play began against Missouri Valley College, putting the season in forward motion. The team played again the next day against William Jewell College, both games being held at The Riverside Tennis Center in Wichita.

Although the Falcons men’s and women’s teams lost both of their matches, Coach Darrin Rasmussen has high hopes for his experienced, upperclassmen teams.  

With 12 of 16 players returning for the men’s and women’s teams combined, expectations are high.  

“I think we will be more competitive,” said Rasmussen. “For the women, I want them to make it to the conference tournament; for the men I want them to win."

The men’s team is looking to beat Bethany College this year after coming in second place behind them for the past four years.

“They have become real solid,” Rasmussen said of Bethany.

Practices have been going well despite the weather complications that have forced the team to be indoors for the beginning of practices this season.

“We’re more focused and have a lot more energy at practices,” returning junior Billy Bloomquist said. “We had a lot of tough losses last year. This year we are more confident than the years before."

The team plays again in a tournament in Newton on March 11. The Falcon tennis team is filled with optimism and dedication as they train for the conference season that begins April 9 against Tabor College.