UW-Whitewater Women’s Tennis Begins Season with Success

The UW-Whitewater Women’s Tennis team kicked off their season with an impressive 7-0 win against UW-Oshkosh at the Warhawk Outdoor Tennis Complex on August 30, 2025. This victory follows a robust previous season in which the team secured a second-place finish in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) and clinched the WIAC tournament title.

Team Performance and Preparation

Head coach Byron Balkin expressed pride in the team’s performance, attributing their success to rigorous training over the past two weeks. “I think that’s because of the work that the players have put in these past two weeks. They’ve been doing two-a-days, building that chemistry, and using each other as a way to get better,” he stated.

Leadership and Optimism

Senior captain Gracie Ha reflected on the positive atmosphere surrounding the team. “It was the first match of the season and I think we all played really well,” she noted, emphasizing the benefits of their preparation. “These last two weeks definitely helped us a lot with training and being ready for today.”

Individual Highlights

Ha, in her final season, showcased strong play, securing a doubles victory alongside sophomore Abby Weaver against the UW-Oshkosh duo. The pair won 6-3, and Ha followed this up with an impressive singles performance, defeating her opponent 6-1, 6-0. “Over the summer, I just got as much match play as I could, in hopes of being ready for conference play,” she said.

Coach Balkin’s Vision

As this season marks Coach Balkin’s inaugural year as head coach of the program, he emphasizes building on the team’s proud tradition while injecting new enthusiasm and strategies. “It’s really neat to take the torch from Coach [Frank] Barnes and to continue those traditions while bringing some new energy to the teams and a new way of doing things,” Balkin remarked.

Looking Ahead

With aspirations set high, both Ha and Balkin outlined their goals for the upcoming season. The team aims to secure a victory in all dual matches this fall, paving the way for a successful conference play and potentially reaching nationals. Ha stated, “In the spring, we want to qualify for nationals and keep that streak going,” highlighting the team’s 18-season consecutive qualification for nationals through WIAC Championships.

Conclusion

The 2025 season opener not only signifies a promising start but also reflects hopeful ambitions under new leadership for the UW-Whitewater Women’s Tennis team. As the players continue to develop their chemistry and technical abilities, the focus will remain on enhancing their overall team performance, ensuring a competitive edge throughout the season.