Washington and Lee’s women’s tennis team starts the season 8-0, looking to repeat as Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) champions for the 23rd year in a row. 

The No. 15 Generals opened the season in February with a 8-0 win over Shenandoah University. They continued the winning streak against No. 18 Case Western Reserve University, the University of Lynchburg and Roanoke College.

Sarah Ladd, ’29, said the team is held together by their senior captains: Riho Iijima, ’26; Annie Jennings, ’26; Jordan Kach, ’26; Lauren Long, ’26; and Grace Lorenz, ’26. 

“They’ve done a really good job in bringing us all together and keeping motivation and the energy high,” Ladd said. 

In the fall, the team spent time bonding, creating that high energy. Ladd said the team is uplifting, spunky and reliable, which helped bring success during the offseason. 

Margarette Berdy, ’29, said the team found its routine despite having split practices. During the winter, half of the team would practice in the morning and the other half in the afternoon due to limited indoor court space.

“When it’s time to show up, everyone is focused and ready to actually put the work in,” Berdy said. 

The athletes have found success early on, but they still want to grow on and off the court. Berdy and Ladd emphasized the importance of doubles performances and continued cheering during long matches.  

Berdy and Ladd are doubles partners and said communication is key to their success. 

“We do well with communicating. And we both have pretty similar games,” Berdy said. “We can read each other pretty well on the court.”

Within the conference, the Generals’ toughest opponents are Averett University and Virginia Wesleyan University. The team will also play nationally ranked teams such as No. 5 Emory University and No. 14 Babson College.

Berdy said the team’s biggest goal is to make it to Chattanooga, Tennessee, which will host the NCAA Division III championships in May.  

Before the season, team members wrote goals for themselves. They prioritized fueling their bodies and minds and focusing on the team rather than themselves.  

“And to win, I guess, is our biggest goal,” Berdy said.  

The Generals will play Averett University Thursday, March 12, and look to continue their winning streak.  

“Hopefully we win in conference play and move on to NCAAs and make it really far there, if not win,” Ladd said.