Sophomore Haileigh Porter preparing to return a serve against Morgan State on Jan. 18.
Photo Submitted by Jason Bogan.
The Women’s Tennis team kicked off their season opener on a Friday afternoon in a highly competitive contest against Morgan State University. Just when it seemed the Rattlers were on the brink of victory, the match was halted due to inclement weather and the match ended in an undecided DNF (did not finish).
The last time these two teams met was in the MEAC Semi-Finals last season where the Rattlers lost four to two. With the loss fresh in their memories, Florida A&M wanted to came into this match with a chip on their shoulders. When asked what the focus was in practice for this game, Coach Rochelle Goldthreate said, “We treated this game like any other opponent, we need to be prepared for whatever comes our way each week.”
Adrian Clayton, a second year business and administration major, and member of the women’s tennis agreed with her coaches statement.
“The mindset coming in to this game was all about intensity,” Clayton said. “First matches are always intense so we need to start the year off right.”
FAMU won two out of the three double matches, which gave them a one point advantage in the singles match. All they needed was to win just three out of the six single matches to claim the win. The first singles match was counted as a Rattler victory and all FAMU needed was two more matches under their belt to finish it off.
Sophomore player Haleigh Porter believed that confidence would be the key to winning it all. She was one of the ladies who lost her match last season during Semi-Finals, but during her singles match this time around she noticed her opponents getting frustrated which allowed her to take advantage of the situation and come out on top.
“Last year we were young and didn’t know what to expect,” said Porter. “I feel that me and the rest of my teammates really have come a long way, but there is still much work that needs to be done.”
With only one more match needed to get the victory, clouds started to settle in the forecast. First sprinkles, then heavy rain came shortly after. This caused the game to be delayed, and then canceled shortly after. The match ended with FAMU up 3-0, so an undecided decision may leave a bad taste in the Rattler’s mouths.
FAMU will get their next chance at victory Jan. 25 as they head to Hattiesburg, MS for the SOuthern Mississippi Invitational.