Men’s Tennis
The Piedmont men’s tennis team started their fall season with a rocky start Sept. 13-14 in the Rome Invitational, where they lost to Berry College in the opening matches. Junior Connor Phelps and sophomore Mark Backeberg were the only Lions to win their singles matches against Berry.
With Oglethorpe canceling their matches on Sept. 14, the Lions faced Division II, Shorter University. Juniors Simon Johnstone and Yannick Wassmer Navarro won their doubles match 7-5, and sophomore Charles Parnell and Backeberg won 7-6. Navarro, senior Bryce Van Order, and sophomore Rohan Kavali all won their singles matches, taking them to the third set. Phelps was able to capture a singles match win in just two sets.
Wassmer Navarro believes the slow start this fall will be of benefit to them. “I think coming back and having those close matches is really going to help me in moments of pressure during the spring,” said Wassmer Navarro.
The Lions returned to Rome, Ga, Sept. 28-19 for the ITA Regionals. Although the event was shortened due to rain, they were able to complete five singles and 17 doubles matches. Wassmer Navarro battled back after dropping the first set for a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over the Vikings top singles player. There were seven doubles victories for the Lions at ITA’s.
The challenging matches for the Lions are being used as motivation, “I will have to push through these moments if we want to reach our goal of winning conference,” said Wassmer Navarro.
Men’s tennis ended their season at home for the Piedmont Fall Foliage Classic Oct. 11-12. Pfeiffer and Berry traveled to Demorest to take on the Lions, where the Lions’ young freshman class dominated, leaving the Lions with 13 singles and 10 doubles wins.
The men’s tennis team will resume in the spring of Feb. 25 for an exhibition match against North Greenville University in Tigerville, SC.
Women’s Tennis
Lady Lion’s tennis team is off to a hot start for the 2024-2025 season, coming off their third consecutive CCS title. With seven new freshmen on the roster, the Lions are looking to build off of their past success.
They opened their season at home at the Piedmont Invitational Sept. 6-7, where freshmen Sarah Sanabia and Caroline Morrison had standout freshman debuts, winning their singles matches. The Lions had 12 singles wins and 10 doubles wins at the event’s conclusion.
The Lions then traveled to Sweet Briar, VA for the Battle of the Blue Ridge event on Sept. 14. Although they fell short in doubles matches, they were able to acquire a 13-10 record in singles matches, with Sanabia, sophomore Olivia Carpenter and senior Hollan Rabensdorf going 2-0 in singles play.
Women’s tennis dominated at home on Sept. 20 against LaGrange and Pfeiffer. The Lions defeated Pfeiffer 6-1 and LaGrange 7-0. Senior Bri Laidman was able to secure a doubles win and capture a singles win going into a third-set tiebreaker. Coach Trey Martin obtained his 115 career coaching win in the match against Pfeiffer.
In a weather battled weekend at the ITA Regionals, senior standout Alyssa McSpadden made Piedmont history. McSpadden was the first Lady Lion to reach the third round of ITA’s main draw in school history. Laidman and junior Jordan Ballard advanced to the second round of the main draw, and three of the four doubles teams were able to advance to the second round as well.
The Lions ended their season at the Belmont Abbey Invitational Oct. 10-11 in Belmont, NC. Sanabia was able to build off of her freshman campaign, winning her singles match and two doubles matches partnered with Laidman.
With six seniors leaving, the Lions are looking to the freshman class to step in. Sanabia feels as though she is ready, “I’m so grateful and excited about being able to join such a successful team. Being a part of such a strong team keeps me motivated…and I feel confident with the role I play on the team.”
The Lions ended their season with a 2-0 record and will begin their spring season Feb. 8 at home against Truett McConnell.
