With spring sports starting to pick up, Piedmont’s tennis teams are in full swing. Both the men’s and women’s teams reported that they have a full season to look forward to this semester.

For the men’s team, its preseason record was 1-1 with a win against Oxford College of Emory University and a loss to Emmanuel College.

Over the weekend, the team played its first official matches of the season against Sewanee: The University of the South and Transylvania University. The team lost all of its matches, 9-0, against Sewanee, but against Transylvania, the team won, 8-1. This made its overall record 1-1 so far.

In the preseason rankings, the latest USA South Coaches’ poll has this team finishing third overall. According to fourth-year player and USA South All-Conference honorable mention Matt Metzger, the team can achieve third place or better by the end of the season.

“It will be a challenge, but with the group of players we have, we can do it,” said Metzger.

The women’s team poised to place sixth, according to the coaches’ poll. The Lady Lions went 0-2 in their preseason matches, with losses to Emmanuel College and Oxford College of Emory University. Fourth-year player Nicole Parrish said she has a positive outlook on her final season with the Lions.

“This is my senior year, and I have never been so ready and happy to be starting this season,” said Parrish. “I love my team, and I cannot wait to see how this season turns out. I am so proud of how hard all of the girls are working, and I am ready to walk out on the court for my last season with these girls beside me.”

The women played alongside the men, losing to Sewanee, 9-0, and winning against Transylvania, 7-2. Their overall record is 1-1.

The teams’ hardest matches have yet to come, the players said. According to these players North Carolina Wesleyan College and Methodist University will be challenging.

“Everyone in our lineup would have to play the best match of our lives on the same day to even have a chance of winning the match,” said second-year player Brent Jenkins. “As bad as that sounds, I truly enjoy playing really challenging matches. It gives you such great experience and also keeps you modest.”

These challenging matches should lead to some exciting play on the court. Both of these matches are away at the respective universities. The teams play North Carolina Wesleyan on March 25 and Methodist University on March 26.

“We usually have a lot of close contests throughout the season”, said Metzger. “I couldn’t be more excited going into my last tennis season. I’m ready to play my best tennis and perform the best for my team.”