Ron Headlee knew his team would be facing a stiff task in its match against Washington & Jefferson Saturday morning, and that’s exactly what it was for the women’s tennis team. The Yellow Jackets [1-10, 0-7] ended up falling to the Presidents [8-5, 6-1]7-2 on senior day in Waynesburg. 

Although Headlee saw some positives, such as Sierra Stevens and Hayley Sweeney winning their singles matches, the day went as expected, especially without Kyleigh Schmidt. 

“We knew that Washington & Jeferson was going to be tough,” head coach Ron Headlee said. “I thought doubles [W&J] looked really strong. Sierra Stevens and Hayley Sweeny were winning their [singles] matches, and I think that attributed to their two girls forfeiting… They’re just a pretty strong team. Without Kyleigh, and everybody having to move around makes it a little bit harder.”

Sweeney and Stevens, the team’s No. 5 and 6 players, defeated Vanesa Hyde and Caitlin Shellhamer, respectively, via forfeit. Those were Waynesburg’s only positive results on the day.

The Yellow Jackets have now lost 27 straight Presidents’ Athletic Conference matches dating back to the 2016 season. The team’s only win this year was in the season opener against Pitt-Greensburg, a non conference match that took place Aug. 31. 

Heading into the PAC Championships Oct. 22, Waynesburg’s record is worse than it was last year, when the team finished 2-9. Despite improvement not showing in the team’s record, Headlee noted that the squad is more competitive in games against other PAC schools, such as Grove City and St. Vincent. 

“Wins and losses, we’re not spiking up like we’re expected to… But every team that we play from last year to this year, we’re winning more games,” Headlee said. “I think we’re staying with everybody in the four, five and six [matches], it’s just the top [that needs to improve].”

Headlee knows the PAC tournament will present another obstacle, but hopes his team can learn from whatever happens. 

“We know it’s going to be tough for us,” he said. “The experience is going to help our girls, just knowing what we need to do. We’re not to their level let, so we’ll just try to go in and play, try to pick up a few sets if we can.”