Whitworth men’s tennis opened its season against the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I team, Montana State University, on Jan. 31. There are four new starting freshmen on the men’s tennis team this year, so the team has some fresh and fiery motivation for the spring 2025 season.  

Matthew Morrison, first-year tennis player at Whitworth, comments on this, stating, “I would say they’re definitely impacting the team. I mean if we weren’t here, the team would be a lot worse. I feel like we’ve brought a lot of talent to this class”.  

Morrison reflects on his playing so far in the season, stating, “Individually, it’s going great. My partner and I have been doing well. Though my thoughts right now are working as a team, because we’ve played some tough competition. I think our coach would agree we haven’t played as a team.”  

However, Morrison has high hopes and goals for this season. “Short-term, I want to win with the guys. I want to win with this team. I want to be Freshman of the Year or Player of the Year. Long-term, though, winning the  Intercollegiate Tennis Association tournament. That’d be cool playing in the NCAA tournament.” 

Women’s tennis opened their season against the NCAA Division III team, Lewis and Clark State, on Feb. 8.  Gracie Smyley, a senior at Whitworth, explains how the women’s team is motivated for the new season, “Our views of competition have changed so much because I feel that we’ve gained so much since last year with mental strategy, with competing, and I also feel that a lot of our girls have, just outside of practice in our own season, have worked so hard over the summer and off season, and it’s really showing this year,” Smyley says.  

Smyley speaks on her goals for the 2025 season, stating, “Short-term, I would say my goal is to just do well overall with my team this year. My long-term goals with tennis are maintaining my relationships with the people I make here.” 

Smyley has been with the Whitworth women’s tennis program for the entirety of her undergrad. Smyley states that being a student-athlete with the Whitworth tennis program has shaped her college career, “I would say just self-care of your physical health and mental health, while being a student and an athlete, is just one of my biggest takeaways.” 

However, a successful season usually comes from the efforts of a supportive coach. Smyley praises her coach, Rachel Aldridge, stating, “She has become such a big support person, especially just being away from home and just being there to help you with life problems or tennis problems. And I think each year, she just teaches a new perspective on something with tennis that you can easily apply to other parts of your life too, which is just so impressive.”  

With motivating season goals, new talent, and a supportive staff, the Whitworth tennis program looks forward to the completion of a successful season. The men’s and women’s teams’ next Northwest Conference (NWC) match is set against Linfield on April 5, 2025, at Whitworth in the Scotford Tennis Center.