The Baldwin Wallace Women’s Tennis Team traveled to Florida for spring break to participate in a week-long tournament, do service work, and have some fun along the way. The team won 1 match, lost 3, and had 1 canceled due to rain.  

The first match was played against Haverford (Pa.) on March 6 where the women lost 9-0. There was a close matchup between BW’s Ashtyn Morris and Haverford’s Rachel Fitzgerald where Morris won the second game but lost in the tiebreaker. The team fell to Spring Arbor (Mich.) on Thursday, March 10. 

On Friday, March 11, the team split their games by defeating Manhattanville (N.Y.), but losing to Ursinus (Pa.). One game was canceled during this trip which led to the women going 1-3 overall in the tournament. 

COVID-19 had made it hard on the team for the past few years, senior Kami DiRocco said. “COVID caused a disconnect as we were unable to bond and cultivate relationships, so it was nice to take this time together, getting to know the underclassmen,” DiRocco said. 

DiRocco also mentioned that she and the team enjoyed time at the pool when they weren’t actively partaking in matches.  

Sophomore Juliet Penrod said the trip helped with team-bonding. 

“I didn’t play in any matches due to being out for surgery, but I learned a lot about tennis technique and strategy from watching,” Penrod said. “This season is off to an amazing start, and I think after this trip we’re all a lot closer.” 

Penrod is planning to participate with the team again at their next match on Saturday, March 26 at Oberlin. 

The team spent time volunteering at Give Kids the World Village. It is a nonprofit resort in Central Florida where children with critical illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free vacations. They worked in a cafe to serve breakfast to children and their families, while helping clean the dining room after the meal.  

“It was a very impactful experience, and it was a wonderful organization to give back to,” Penrod said. 

While the team traveled to Florida for the tournament, they certainly spent some time enjoying the sun, stores, and restaurants as well. They went to Benihana, a sushi and Japanese steakhouse, as a team and some parents of the players joined in on this meal as well. 

The weather was ideal for most of the games and DiRocco said the early tournament was a boon for a team used to training in northeastern cold during early spring. 

“It felt nice going into this season strong with the warm weather,” DiRocco said. 

Unfortunately, the weather worsened at the end of the trip which led to the team’s flight being delayed for a while.  

The women’s tennis team is slated to play nine more matches this season, most of which are taking place next month. If you would like to see some pictures and more from the trip, check out the team’s Instagram at @bwwomenstennis.