With a fusion of talent, unwavering determination, and a collective drive for excellence, the MSU women’s tennis team has punched its way to no. 8 in the Division II national rankings. A team that is led by 10 different individuals with  one common goal… making it to nationals and claiming the national title.

The women’s team went undefeated during conference play with a record of 10-0 and has an overall record of 19-4. All season the team has had eyes on them just to see how far the team will go into the postseason. 

The 2023-2024 team is one of the highest ranked teams MSU has ever had. While the ranking of no. 8 may affect other teams’ mindsets going forward in the postseason, head coach Scott Linn and his team aren’t letting it affect their play.

Psychology senior Micaela McSpadden appreciates the recognition that comes with the ranking but said the ranking is not affecting the way the team continues to play.

“While the rankings are awesome, the attention is awesome, it is also just a number. You know, and at the end of the day a number is just a number. You know the no. 1 team in the nation can lose to the no. 50 team in the nation and vice versa,” McSpadden said, adding, “ everyday we have to step out on the court and we have something to prove every single day. As a team we’ve collectively decided that we’re not going to acknowledge it overly much because we never want to be satisfied with where we’re at.”

Psychology junior Anda Ghinga echoed McSpadden’s statements, but added the ranking puts a target on the team’s back in the eyes of other teams competing for the national title. 

“The funny thing about having a, uhh, higher ranking, is that it kind of puts a target on your back so I wouldn’t say people are more scared to play us, I would say they are more excited to play us.” Ghinga said, adding,  Which is fine either way. We’re here to play and win so that’s okay for me.”

When conference play was finished the team turned its sights to the postseason, with hopes of winning the first obstacle, the Lone Star Conference tournament.

The LSC tournament was this past weekend, April 25-27. The women’s team advanced deep in the tournament making it to the semifinals before being knocked out by Dallas Baptist University.

McSpadden, said one big thing the team realized from the loss was the intensity of its playing needed to be higher than it was.

“I think that in the last match, we played very timid. And our opponents played a very like, umm they were striking the ball,” McSpadden said, adding, “I think across the board one our side we were really playing almost as if we had something to lose, and they were playing that they had nothing to lose.”

Ghinga gave props to DBU for the match played against the Mustangs. 

“As much as we want to say, we can not discredit DBU, they played an amazing match and kudos to them. We just have to come better prepared,” Ghinga said. 

While the team may have gotten knocked out of the LSC tournament, with how well they did in conference play, they are still able to make a trip to Regionals. 

From the loss both head coach Scott Linn and the team have changed up the practice regime, increasing the intensity and what is to be expected out of the team. 

“I would definitely say training has been harder, I’ve noticed a difference. I think Coach has also really upped the intensity of what he demands from us. I think that my attitude is, I think it’s a lot of the girl’s attitude is that we either win or we learn, “ McSpadden said, adding, “you know, losses really provide something to learn from.”

Throughout the season one thing has held true for the team and it is its team bond and the determination of the players and their need to succeed in what has been the goal since preseason play. McSpadden siad the determination and the taste of success is the main motivation for the team.

“Definitely the grit of the team and the mental toughness… we have just put six ladies on the court that refuse to lose and refuse to quit. I would just say the mental toughness and the grit of this team and like almost the desperation to win every single match. I think we have a really hungry team,” McSpadden said.

The team is set to advance to the Regional tournament and will once again begin their journey to Nationals. With a two week break in between the LSC tournament and the Regional tournament the team looks to put in the extra work to further cement the desire to win nationals.

While the location for the Regional tournament has not been set yet, with the placing of the MSU team in conference, there is a good chance MSU will host the tournament. The final decision of the location will be made Monday, May 6.