The women’s tennis team embarked on a journey of four matches in six days. These matches were all very important as they were Presidents’ Athletic Conference matchups. Waynesburg posted a 2-2 record on the week.

On Monday, Sept. 28, the ladies grabbed their first conference win of the year. This matchup came against the Thiel College Tomcats who are currently last in the PAC standings. The final score was 7-0. This is the second time in the past two seasons that the Yellow Jackets have defeated Thiel, but marks the first time since 2010 that they have completely shut out the Tomcats.

The Yellow Jackets continued their week against the Presidents of Washington & Jefferson college. W&J, who is currently on one of their best seasons, took down Waynesburg by a score of 7-0. The Presidents are currently third in the PAC with a 3-1 conference record.

Waynesburg then hosted the defending PAC champion Allegheny College Gators. The Gators, who are still undefeated in conference play, beat the Yellow Jackets by another 7-0 score. In the five matches that Waynesburg and Allegheny have had against each other, Allegheny has shut out Waynesburg every time.

Finally, the Yellow Jackets traveled to Latrobe, Pennsylvania to match up against the Saint Vincent Bearcats. This is when the ladies grabbed their second conference win of the season. This marks the first time since 2015 that Waynesburg has gotten that second conference win.

That win also gave Waynesburg a 6-5 record throughout this season. That winning record is the first one the Jackets have earned in the first 11 games since 2014.

“It feels super exciting and I am so grateful. Before coming to Waynesburg I would hear comments about the tennis program and didn’t know how high my expectations should be coming in. But I have been so happy with the effort and care that the team gives to the sport, and it is very rewarding getting to see all of the work we’ve put in pay off, ” sophomore Taylor Stephens said. 

Waynesburg will now look to make a push towards the playoffs. The Yellow Jackets currently sit at seventh in the PAC behind Westminster and Geneva. The top six teams in the conference make the playoffs and Waynesburg has not finished that high since 2014. The previously mentioned Geneva and Westminster still remain on Waynesburg’s schedule and those matches will be extremely important for PAC standings and playoff implications.

“They know what’s in front of them and what is needed,” head coach Randy Pettit said. “They have to believe in their abilities and control what they can control. It’s going to be a fun week and a half to make that final push.”

But the ladies will start against the Geneva Golden Tornadoes on Oct. 6. This is the final home match of the season for the team and it will also be senior night. So be sure to show up to the Bechtle Family Tennis Center at 5 p.m., and show your support!