The York Lions women’s tennis team defeated the University of Alberta Pandas 4-1 at the Aviva Centre on August 16 to complete an undefeated 2014-2015 season, and win the women’s draw of Canadian University Tennis Championships.
The Lions were led by Valerie Ushanova, who won her doubles competition earlier in the day alongside Julia Kedrzycki, and then Ushanova dominated her singles match. This earned the Lions two points, though the Pandas quickly cut the lead to 2-1. However, Isabella Baston and Eugenie Lim Ah Tock then won their singles matches, giving the Lions the total of four points needed to secure their first national championship.
Head coach Chris Field cites the team’s “continuous effort, focus, and heart” as the reasons for their successful season. “There was never a moment where I had to ask if they wanted to win. The hours they put in, on and off the court, really allowed them to shine in their matches.”
According to Isabella Baston, constant practice and good communication were the reasons for their success. “While off-season we were able to get some time off our busy schedules and hit with each other,” she says, adding that the athletes’ tight-knit relationship with the rest of the team helped them win the championship.
One of the main challenges for Baston and many other student athletes is achieving their academic and athletic goals at the same time. Field describes the athletes he works with as a group of highly intelligent and hardworking students.
“It is definitely not easy,” says Baston. “We have to be self-motivated.” Varsity tennis games often take up the entire weekend, Fridays included, leaving little time for studying.
“Partying is simply out of the picture,” she says.
However, Baston says that the administration at York is very supportive of student athletes. “York helps us with special prep for exams,” she says. “What York is doing with giving out bursaries is very good and motivating.”
Commenting on the support the Lions’ tennis players receive from the York community, Baston says she believes that they are not given the same credit that is given to other student athletes, such as soccer or volleyball players.
“We should all be supportive of each other,” she says. “We all understand the kinds of challenges we go through in order to be the best we can and make York proud.” Field adds that the national championship may draw more attention to his team.
Both Field and Baston look forward to the upcoming season when they will have to defend their national championship title.
“I am definitely excited about the upcoming season,” says Baston. “Being the national champions is an extra motivation to work even harder and to maintain our title.”
A challenge for the Lions to overcome this season will be the graduation of four of the team’s top seven players. “Developing our current roster is a high priority,” says Field. “We will aim to strengthen our team by working hard and developing our skill set, while improving each individual player.”
Baston looks forward to meeting the new players who will be replacing the graduating players. “I’m a little scared, but also excited,” she says. “You never know what kind of talent will join our team.”
In fall 2014, the Lions’ women’s tennis team also won their first Ontario University Athletics (OUA) banner in 11 years. Chris Field and his team will now have to defend both their provincial and national championships.
Hassam Munir, Sports & Health Editor
Featured image courtesy of the York Lions
