The Tribune

THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association congratulates Grand Bahamian Abigail Simms on her historic ranking in the national polls for Indiana Tech. At the same time, the BLTA extends best wishes to all of their college players, who are well in the tennis season.

Simms, playing for Indiana Tech Warriors in the tennis spring season, went 4-5 in singles at first flight and 7-4 in doubles. Her season, like many others, was cut short due to COVID-19. However, Abigail made history for women’s tennis at her school, being one of three Warriors who earned national rankings in the Oracle ITA NAIA Women’s Rankings. Simms, now a sophomore, was ranked 38th (highest for Warriors) in the nation in singles.

Warriors Coach Orlowski stated how big this was for the college and how meaningful it was considering the focus and mental aptitude that was needed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In January the Warriors were picked second in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Preseason Poll. Tech Warriors were able to get two matches in the fall and won both to start 2021 with a 2-0 record.

The Warriors are scheduled to compete 15 times this spring with their first match being on the road at Bowling Green today.

Lauryn Daxon, now a senior at Missouri Valley Vikings, is expected to start her season on February 19 against Missouri Western.

The Vikings season was also cut short last year due to the pandemic where they were unbeaten at 3-0. The Missouri Valley College women’s tennis team will start its spring 2021 season by being ranked No. 23 in the NAIA Women’s Tennis Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll.

Sierra Donaldson and the Lee University Flames kicked off the year with a match against Tennessee Wesleyan University yesterday.

Hannah-Joy Simms and Brescia Bearcats are also scheduled to kick off their spring play on February 20 against Asbury University.

Iesha Shepherd is now a senior with Jackson State Jaguars.

The team experienced two tough opening losses against Jacksonville State and Stephen Austin and is hoping to put a win in their column when they matchup against Southeastern Louisiana on February 11.

Afrika Smith is with the Bethune- Cookman Wildcats women’s tennis team, but no season schedule has been released.

New to the college scene, Sydney Clarke is making her mark with the University of Alabama Blazers with a singles win in two straight sets as singles flight four in their last showing.

The Blazers have experienced two spring season opener losses and are hoping for a win in their next match lineup scheduled for Saturday, February 6 at Mississippi State.

Last season, the Blazers ended the year on an eight-match winning streak.